LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Shelf-ApJ-C, 03 

— mz 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 





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THE SACRIFICE. 



AN EPIC. 



BY THE 



Rev. BENJ. T. TREGO., B,D, 



SEP 19 i-^^*^ 

DETROIT: ' 

THOS. SMITH PRINTING COMPANY. 
189:>. 



II 



•TtCs S3 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1891, by 

BENJ. T. TREGO, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
All rights reserved. 



Ill 



DEDICATION. 



To the friendj who becamej and proved to besuchj 
even in tiTQe of weakness and discouragementj I dedi- 
cate THE 8ACKIPIQE, 



IV 



'■'■Is it nothing to yoii^ all ye that -pass byf 
Behold and see if there he any sorrow like 
unto my sorrow.'''' — Sam. I. 12. 



V 



PROEM. 

' • God fof bid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. '" — Gai,. vi. 14. 

THY CROSS ALONE. 

Lo, on Thy Cross, Oh Christ, I gaze 
In meditation, prayer, and praise, 
My thoughts to Thee, The Christ, I raise. 
Thy Cross alone. 

Teach me to live as Thou didst live, 
Naught for myself, myself to give. 
My willing sacrifice receive. 

Thy Cross alone. 

How Thou, Incarnate, came to be, 
Though steeped in gross humility, \ 

The Saviour of Mankind, e'en me. 
Thy Cross alone. 

In Thy humility, most low, 
Glory most high, in deepest woe 
When unto Golgotha didst go . 

Thy Cross alone. 



Vl THY CROSS AIvONB. 

All temp'ral power was naught to Thee, 
All temp'ral glory could not be 
Temptation, Thee Thy Cross to flee. 
* Thy Cross alone. 

Oh, may I glory, not in fame, 
Worldly ambition, in the same 
As that Apostle, and proclaim 

Thy Cross alone. 



VII 



PREFACE. 

" The: Sacrifice " is only a study, not an effort, much less 
to say an attempt at something worthy of a subject so sublime. 
It is put in print by the urgent request of friends, most dear, 
who learned of its execution as they learned of the way in which 
I spent my hours of leisure apart from my regular parish work. 
In humility and prayer, that this, my study, may but lead some 
soul to realize the saving grace vested in His voluntary sacrifice, 
I submit "The Sacrifice " to the patience of its readers. 

THK AUTHOR. 
St. George's Rectory, 

Detroit, Michigan. 
August, 1892. 



vlll 



INDEX. 



Pages. 
Preface — • 7 

Introduction 9 



CANTO I.— The Triumphal, Entry 15 

CANTO II.— The Tempi^e 31 

CANTO III.— The Upper Room 61 

CANTO IV.— Gethsemane ^ 79 

CANTO v.— The Triai. 1 1 1 

CANTO VI.— The Crucifixion 149 

Image Divine • • • • • • • i79 



THE SACRIFICE. 

INTRODUCTION, 

Night grew apace. In sleep found I no rest 
But tossed, like troubled billows, 'bout my head, 
Yet slumbering, thus between the sense of sleep 
And waking, that Judgment, the rule to gain, 
With vain Imagination fiercely strove. 
While mem'ry furnished both with visions past. 
Then opened wide mine eyes and gazed, as one 
Uncertain of his whereabouts, asleep 
Or waking, or what be my state of mind 
Puzzled much my senses to discover. 
But soon, as if some power invisible 
Soothed with potent hand my fevered brow 
I lay at ease beholding still a form. 
Form true it was, though faintly visible, 
Truly a bod}' seemed it to possess, 
Etherial in kind, of matter rid, 



lO THE SACRIFICE. 

Affording habitation for the ghost."*' 

M}' room dark, its illuminous person 

Shone in greater splendor than in day, 

For oft since then th' spirit confined therein, 

To me in whisper spake, when to the eye 

It's ghostly body was invisible. 

Deaf silence reigned supreme. He looked on me 

And I on him, as if we to converse 

Did need no other means than mutual glance, 

Until, with quiv'ring lips, I finally asked 

The reason of this scene. To which replied 

The stranger to my room and 'customed sense 

His mission upon earth. And thus he spake : 

'' My son. O ! youth so tender, sensitive, 

Fear not, but listen thou with constant ear 

While to thy timid mind I do reveal 

A task surpassing quite its fervent strength." 

Then I, with reverential awe, " Speak ! speak !" 

** There lies a tale untold," began he then, 

" Whose depth of sorrow and whose weight of woe 

Is far more sad than any I have versed. 

While of its substance, — all mankind concerned — 

Four great ones, much before my time they lived, 

*Spirit. 



INTRODUCTION. II 

In fewest words and scenes, did once relate. 

A plain interpretation of their words 

In harmony of scene and incident 

For comprehension fair there still remains " 

" And that thoud'st have me do ?" I queried thus. 

*' E'en so." He. 

*' But why, oh why!" Exclaimed I then in dread, 

*' Did'st thou accomplish not this weighty task, 

Who e'en in this the strength of all surpassed? 

Oh ! thou most excellent in tragic verse 

And potent in the lore of character, 

Whose eye pierced quite the depths of human thought 

And attributes of individuals 

In common penetrate', that Jew, or Greek, 

Or Savage breast in truth portrayed and art 

In natural semblance hid ; nor rank, nor sex, 

Nor age escaped thy grasp, diversities. 

E'en all, not less, the supernatural. 

And too, upon the fort of whose great brain 

A thousand spirits seemed to touch with grace. 

That thou from brute to spirit aptl}^ ranged— 

Reflecting all creation in its truth. 

Then wh}^, oh why ! did'st thou leave this untouched ?'' 

He then to me. " Rightly hast thou questioned, 



J 2 THE SACRIFICE. 

Oh son, of trembling will. But listen thou, — 

Oft times, and much, with solemn thought I dwelt 

Upon that greatest tragedy of man, 

And fain would, with immagination, trace 

Each scene, each incident, each word, and act. 

And every circumstance that borders 'round 

That central fact of human history. 

Strength did I implore from foreign climes, 

Where fair celestial spirits often sing 

Of things beyond the knowledge of mankind, 

That I the hem of His God- will might touch. 

And of that nature faintly comprehend 

Who sanctified obedience to His God : 

That I of Him, in modest praise might tell, 

The Incarnation of that lyove Divine, 

How He from birth 'till death through temptings great 

And pain, did live His Father's will on earth. 

But halting, still I failed, and found my mind 

Less capable, as more I did conceive 

The superhuman strength therein required 

To tell of Him, the Archetype of Man. 

Yet living, hoped some day to sing, till death 

Cut short my will to execute the task. 

But thou, oh son, fear not the bold attempt 



INTRODUCTION. f^ 

111 all humility, which, though thou fail'st 

Perfection to achieve, will bless thy soul 

With meditations grand ; and I thy lines 

Will grace, while only He, the Holy Ghost 

Thine inspiration be, and Christ thy Guide. 

Thus I. " Oh, father, thou incarnation 

Of dramatic art, accompany th' way 

As I with fainting breath and trembling limb 

Presume to trespass on such holy ground. 

And Thou, oh Holy Spirit, most holy 

Righteous, sacred power, be though my strength 

And nerve this weakest frame to do Th}- will, 

Inspire me to the duty left undone. 

And Thou, oh Christ, most blessed Lord and Guide 

Oh pardon Thou mv vain attempt to sing 

Of Thee, Thy sacred Cross, Thy Passion dread. 

And in my song but teach me more of Thee. 

And Thou, oh Father, God, Almighty, Thou, 

May I in this but sacrifice my will 

And imitate Thine Own Beloved Son. 

Bless'd Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit 

Three Persons, One True God, Thy will be done. 

Then take again the harp and o'er its cords 



14 THK SACRIFICE. 

Let blow the zeph}- rs of the tragic lay : 

And may none touch that come, and not from realms 

That praise alone celestial truth, divine, 

For sure, of all things else, the most sublime 

Is that which now shall occupy our mind. 

What bard would sing of Him and not His Cross ? 

Obedience not complete, temptation 

Not o'er come, until that trial had passed. 

His Cross, the symbol of His kingdom fair 

All kneeling at its foot need not despair. 



CANTO I. 



THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY. 



^' Most cheerful news my worthy Euclides." 

" All things be cheerful in Jerusalem. 

When here the dignitaries of God's Church 

Volumptuously do feast on money 

Rung from the horny fisted peasantry. 

Look you, Stratocles. Say ! shall yonder sun 

Which now in his majestic orb doth come 

From eastern climes to spread his wings of gold, 

O'er these our realms, again illuminate 

These holy towers and walls, this chosen spot, 

Where God in His Omnipotence be praised, 

And find in her so great a multitude 

To keep the paschal feast ? I say thee nay ! 

Then Stratocles thus. " Harken, Euclides 

This e'en may be the last Passover held 



l6 THE SACRIFICE. 

Within these Holy walls. For e'en this day 

Him whom the woman in Samaria 

At Jacob's well did meet shall hither come. 

Peradventure, claim Messianic rights ? 

If so, no longer shall God be confined 

And, in yonder sacred temple worshipped, 

For, said He to her — I of her this gained — 

' Nor in this mountain nor Jerusalem 

Shall ye the Father worship. But in truth 

And spirit shall they worship Him whom He 

The Father seeketh. God a spirit is 

And, too, in spirit shall ye worship Him.' 

Furthermore, He who to her thus did speak 

Revealed Himself the Christ, and told her all. 

If He come ; this day shall be remembered 

Throughout the world and ages all, etern'. 

Then Euclides : " Oh, thou Jerusalem, 

And thou most Holy Temple, Holy Place, 

E'en seven times and ten have flowed thy tears 

Until their briny flood, when Juda's sword 

Did smite, might then the evil flame have quenched. 

Oh ! Thou of most importance in the world 

To which, thy sieges oft, do testify, 

Shall ye, Jerusalem and Temple both 



THE TRIUMPtlAI^ ENTRY. 1 7 

No longer be of Israel's unity 

The centre, as which, all alike do point 

Thy patriotism, religion, hope. 

Thy history ? For thus is prophesied. 

E'en now, a darker cloud has not thy streets 

O'er shadowed than this which from yon'd Roman 

Heights draws near "with an angry sable hue, 

Yet, still we'll wait and hope. The dawn is near. — 

But look thou, Stratocles, the multitude. 

The Gallilean rabble : see, they swarm 

With branches in their hands betokening 

Their hope of peace. And listen — what they cry !" 

A moment's pause, their conversation ceased 

While they with ear intent to catch a word 

Explanatory of th' excited throng. 

Then Stratocles : " Ho? anna? — Hosanna. 

Truly that I hear. Hosanna! They cry. 

Denote their course. They move toward Olivet. 

Prom that direction and upon this da}- 

The Gallilean Prophet is to come. — 

Shall we with them go fo th to meet their King?" 

Exchange of words, and they had joined the throng 

Which moved in rapid pace toward Kedron's vale, 

That stream which flows between the Holv Mount 



l8 THE SACRIFICE. 

And great Jerusalem, with glorious 

Welcome for Him who came to conquer man 

And not, as they expected, Jury's King 

As heir of David's royal line, came He. 

He came a true Messiah of His race 

Not in conquests proud, in war triumphant 

But meek, to conquer by His rule of peace. 

Then spake my guide to me of things had passed^ 

" Oh! son. How solemn and of pathos full 

Was that event upon the eve before 

When Jesus e'en at Simon's house did sup. 

Fair Bethany the place, with Lazarus 

Whom He did love and from his tomb had raised, 

Bar Timaeus, who followed in the way 

When he had gained his sight. With Mary too, 

Martha, Judas, and the rest of the Jews, 

Much people, who, His power when learned, believed. 

That eve' when Mary, who had from His lips 

That prophesy, in parable, received 

By which He told in fullness, of His life. 

His mission and His death. How He should give 

His life a ransom for our souls, how He 

As Shepherd of His flock, e'en would for them 

His life lay down, brought forth that precious nard 



THE TRIUMPHAI. ENTRY. 19 

Long time reserved for that Disease* of which 

He often spake, His body to anoint, 

Quite apt, aforehand for the burying. 

This done in sorrow, faith, devotion, joined, 

Her deed made precious, so in every age 

It lives of her a fair memorial. 

But mark ! As ever doth the shadow grow 

Apace with light, so Judas' mind waxed dark 

As brighter grew the ray of Mary's love. 

For as she knew the nearness of His Death 

And loved the more, he hated as he learned 

Of His Betrayal dawning nearer on. 

Thus, Judas, little caring for the poor 

He did the mask of charity assume. 

For selfish use, with passion covetous 

He had denied the Saviour of her love. 

But He, with sadness inexpressible 

Yet patient, gentle, tender, true, replied 

'Let her alone.' What w^aste could ever be 

Though lavish all in love on Him, the Christ ? 

Now listen thou, and may His Church this heed, 

That He, Himself made poor for many's wealth, 

Converted e'en that falsely-spoken plea, 



*His Crucifixion. 



20 THE SACRIFICE. 

To plea in truth for service to His poor. 

All this in Bethany. In council met 

Those fearing in Jerusalem His power. 

And Caiaphas, high priest, did prophesy 

His death, for the salvation of mankind ; 

And gave commandment, if His place be known 

To take Him, thus preventing further fear. 

Their scheming foiled, for not until His hour 

Could man against the Christ and His do aught. 

With knowledge of His future suffering 

With true majestic calm He toward it moved." 

So spake my guide while I gave heedful note. 

Now He, who at first did from a sudden 
Proclamation of Himself, His office 
And His power refrain; so that what He taught 
Might in the hearts of men, like seed, take root 
And for His Kingdom's sake bear holy fruit, 
Did give command, that in Bethpage, an ass, 
Of Peace a symbol, when they found, to loose 
And bring to Him, The I^ord, who did it need. 
Upon the colt they did their garments spread 
And Jesus now. The Christ, great Israel's King, 
The true Messiah, long expected, come, 



THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY. 21 

They placed thereon ; and, of their shoulder wraps 

Along the rough path did a carpet form, 

The lov'ed John, apparently a youth. 

Did Him precede, and Peter by His side, 

While front and back the rest, disciples all, 

Quite dazzled in a light, like in a dream they walked 

Procession like, as if by need impelled, 

Did not conceive the svibstance of ' these things,' 

Nor, til! a later day did comprehend 

The meaning of each passing grave event, 

But, with the rest, they branches from the trees 

Along the way did strew, as in the days 

When did their ancestors for Mordecai 

Who from Ahasuerus' palace gates 

Did then proceed, their myrtle twigs and robes : 

Or, as the Persians did, the great Xerxes, 

About to cross the Hellespont, bestow 

Upon Him honor, so did they, 

And only when they saw from Jury's town, 

The multitude advance, with stems of palm 

And praises, greeting their Messiah, King, 

Were they enthusiastic o'er the scene. 

" Hosannai" cried the throng as they approached 

" Hosanna !" from the Messianic psalm, 



22 THE SACRIFICE. 

" Save now, and Blessed He who in the name 
Of Lord doth come, to David's son and Heir, 
Hosanna, and glory in the highest." 
To this effect, and partly in these words 
Ascended cheers from voices in the throng 
Quite all, excepting pharisees who went 
Together, with the press, but envy bore. 
And jealous dread, lest He their power o'erthrow. 
And so, there leaped from heart to heart the flame 
Of praise, that kindled every tongue to words 
Of cheer and welcome, to their promised Lord, 
Who, now moved on, surrounded as by troops, 
Toward His scene of conquest, and their hope. 
Yet not like earthly monarchs advanced He, 
With spoil and captives like in chidden train, 
But meek and lowly He, with sword and spear 
Of love, each heart to pierce. The lame He cured 
Did leap, the dumb made song of joy, the blind. 
Restored to sight, were first to see His might. 
And now, when rounding south of Olivet 
In sight of David's city they had come. 
With joy increased the shout of praise, went up 
Wavelike along the much increased defile 
Their richer acclamations, to behold, 



THE TRIUMPPIAI, ENTRY. 23 

Eridelike adorned, Jerusalem to meet 

And welcome to her gates her promised King. 

The Pharisees, now mingled with the crowd, 

Had vainly tried their acclamations loud 

To silence, tiger-like, with baffled hope, 

And angry frowns to one another turn : 

Too, with usual taunts and reproaches dire, 

When malice does with disappointment meet, 

Their rage impotent on each other falls. 

In words, with passion, thus : " Perceive ye not 

How ye to no effect prevail ? Behold ! 

How all the world doth follow after Him !" 

And now, retaliation come to naught. 

They turn, as helpless supplicants, to Him, 

In whose favor the words of cheer ascend, 

Whom they do hate with adder's zeal, and make 

Appeal most desperate, that He might check 

The honest heartiness of them He loved. 

Thus they in deep humiliation cry : 

" Rebuke, oh. Master, these Thy followers." 

He who had in silence most majestic 

Ridden, amidst excitement, quite unmoved. 

With arm extended now, with jesture grave 

And pointing to the rocks that lay around, 



24 THE SACRIFICE. 

With eyes on Israel's leaders firml}' fixed 

To their request prophetically replied : 

'' I tell you that, if these their peace 

Should hold, immediately, mark it well, 

The very stones themselves would then cr}- ovit.'! 

Forth they moved. The hum of mau}^ voices 

Filled the air. While Pharisee in hatred 

Pressed his nether lip, his cvirsing deepened 

As higher rose the acclamations grand. 

Of multitude when broke upon their sight 

The Temple's walls of white, so vast, its courts, 

With glit'ring gold in city of their God ; 

Where also castles towering high, were seen. 

And Herod's massive walls in meadows green. 

B'en like in later day burst forth the cry 

Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! when first 

The crusades viewed with high delight her towers. 

But oh ! with what o'erwhelming woe, the scene. 

Him, who for her bore love divine, impressed. 

For where He brought the moving train to stand 

A generation more, would be encamped. 

To raise her splender then beheld, to ground. 

The sieging force of Rome a part, destined. 

Knowing well her future. He, now as man, 



THE TRIUMPHAI, KNTRY. 25 

In sadness dense while silence reigned around 

Put forth His hand, and from His eyes burst forth 

Hot tears as He the warning to pronounce 

Thus, weeping, spake : " If even thou, at least 

In this thy da}^, oh, thou, Jerusalem 

The things which do unto thy peace belong 

Had known (this thy purposed visitation.) 

But even from thine eyeu they now are hid. 

For, thou shalt at my coming e'en reject 

That safety in thy Messiah vested. 

For soon shall come the days when even Rome, 

The last beast named,* shall compass round th}^ walls 

And cast a trench, invest thy sides, and lay 

Thee even with the ground. Thy ruined towers 

The gory bodies of thy children all 

Shall within thee bury, while not one stone 

Let stand, nor fail to witness of thy sin. 

For thou hast failed to know the time when God 

Through Me to thee, salvation did afford. 

My tears shall flow for generations hence 

In pleading with My Church on thy behalf." 

Unlike the days when silence He enjoined 

He now, His true Messiahship asserts, 

*Daniel vii, 7. 



26 THE SACRIFICE. 

And o'er the Kedron quickly winds His way 

Until, beyond, the city gates are reached. 

The streets were draped in festival attire, 

And all was ready for His entering. 

He passed where now St. Stephen's portals are 

And on the way the m5'riads did join. 

The crowd that held the slopes of Olivet, 

Till thus in slow advance the great throng swelled 

Fair Jury's narrow streets, and from her roofs 

And windows all, excited voices cried, 

In question of the cause of such a scene. 

" AVho is this?" they most eagerly did ask. 

From lip to lip the question seemed to spread 

As wild contagion and excitement grew. 

" Who is this ?" too, in under tone was heard 

As Pharisee each other's sleeve did pluck. 

" Who is this?" Well might Caiaphas have asked 

But mingled with conspirators whose dread 

Supported envy and intrigue, he sought, 

How he might subtley divert from Him 

The multitudinous train ; some plot lay 

To take Christ unawares, now fearing much 

Such final steps, for many favored Him. 

^' Who is this ?" continuing still the cry, 



THE TRIUMPHAI, ENTRY, 27 

T.^ntil the loud hosannas fainter grew 

And in the presence of established power, 

And wordly, that the voices quite subdued, 

Now made reply, as from their purpose swaj'ed, 

" Jesus, a prophet, come from Galilee." 

Oh, fickle mob, oh Eastern populace 

Shifted about, by prejudicial winds. 

Indeed, in weakness God would show His strength, 

Or else wh}' choose that nation for His palm? 

And nov; before the temple He dismounts. 

The crowd dispersed in quiet. Thus He made 

Of their enthusiasm and high zeal 

No politic use. Thus in life and words 

A fatal blow to Jewish slander struck. 

As like a conquerer, He comprehends 

The vantage of His ground. In temple grand, 

With sadest countenance, and brow, He stands. 

The tear marks made when He did prophesy 

The downfall of His Father's House, remain. 

Alone and silent now. The multitude 

Had sought their evening meal, there He was left, 

Save ling'ring near His chosen twelve. Thus He : 

" Oh, holy cit}", fair Jerusalem. 

And this thy temple soon shall mark a change 



28 , THE SACRIFICE. 

E'en in the life of chosen Israel. 

As Antiochus made thy children vow 

To Zeus, then his heathen god, and forced 

Them on the brazen altar of their Lord 

The flesh of swine to sacrifice, while the}^. 

Not only this to tolerate, compelled, 

An active part in foreign rites to take 

When service of their OAvn he did forbid. 

A wholesome discipline for them it was 

And did their former spirit much revive. 

Which they soon lost. And now the trials that come 

Shall cause them to relent, but all too late. 

Thy sceptre in another's hand shall sway. 

Though Pompey spared thy walls, and of their dead 

Them cleansed, and soon thy worship did resume : 

And Herod, even with his sword forbade 

Th' Roman soldiery attempt to enter. 

Yet soon that foe approaching, images 

Of their gods shall in thee place, thus profane. 

But far more dreadful for thee, oh. Temple, 

And thou Jerusalem when direful flames 

Destroy, and all thy children made to serve. 

Then think of Me, oh, city of my love, 

Who came to use thee for a better cause 



THE TRIUMPHAIv ENTRY. 29 

And place upon thy breast the shield of peace 

Than service for the world. But now, alas ! 

Thine ashes, soon shall not e'en bear thy name, 

So quick thou art forgotten by the mass." 

Thus: Then unto the twelve that stand near b}^ 

" Come, friends, we'll hence to peaceful scenes and rest, 

Once more to Bethany. Jerusalem 

Endangers Me, my hour is not yet come." 

Then went they forth in shadowed mistery 

Not well posed of thoughts that compassed Him 

Their Guide, nor understanding wh}- He grieved. 

Who had in triumph entered, now to leave. 

That city of fair Jury's boastful pride. 

But well the}' marked that o'er His brow there came 

Expression sad, apace with evening shades 

That marred the brightness of the temple's dome. 

The sun was setting low, in prophesy 

Like as to note the gloom that now began 

That Temple, which in three days He might build 

If 'twere dissolved, its caput' to surround. 

Thus closed a da}- in great Jerusalem, 

Exalted high upon her table land. 

Breathing a sweet and fragrant mountain air. 

Which joyed the hearts of tribes when gathered there, 



30 THE SACRIFICE. 

The throne from which was thought Jehovah viewed 
The countries of the world, whose kings surpassed 
In height the kings on earth, and frcm whose towers 
One might the midland sea and Hebron view. 
The Paschal Ivamb, now separated quite 
Withdrew in prayer, to consecrate the night. 



CANTO II. 



THE TEMPLE 



Night passed, — The Son of God in silent prayer 

Communed with Father of the coming da}^, 

What service yet to render to His will, — 

And as she threw her sable cloak aside 

Dawn broke upon a much excited world. 

The populace, with eager ear, looked forth 

To hours of fair instruction from the I/ord 

Who now throughout Judea was well known 

As Redeemer of the dead. Lazarus 

Whom, from his tomb He had to life brovight back 

No less, was thought a wonder to behold. 

The great Sanhedron jealous, and with fear 

Did tremble when the orb of day, his light 

Symbolical of rising truth, displayed, 

Ivcst might appear in Him o'erwhelming power 



32 THE SACRIFICK. 

Despoiling subtle schemes. Day waxing fair, 

The Saviour with His twelve, found on their way 

A hungered from the fast of yesternight, 

At the house of Mark, most like', to share their meal, 

When suddenly, a tree, which in advance 

Of normal circamstance, well leafed, they spied. 

But bear no fruit thereon. To it thus He : 

" Henceforth and forever, let no man eat 

Of thee, nor bear thou fruit, but barren be." 

He who for self would not of stone make bread 

With godly power, to teach mankind, an act 

With true symplicity did then perform. 

To illustrate the power of faith with God, 

And how great Israel apparent' green. 

Did bear no fruit, but barren to His will. 

Thus warning them, by type, of their decline. 

Then on to scenes of greater hue advance 

To Temple desecrated and profaned 

Where not for God alone but greedy gain 

Assembled traffickers of priestly cast 

To mart their doves, for poorer offerings, 

And some spoil gain, in change of foreign coin. 

The day waxed high. Three million people swarmed 

The Holy City, and the Temple's court 



THI5 TEMPI^E. 33 

Was quite augmented with the passing crowd, 

Tiie Saviour enters there, and much surprised 

Authorities and all, when He began 

His Father's business to complete on earth. 

And now as if to duplicate the act 

"Which introduced His ministr}^,"-'- again 

To end the same He would with zeal enforce 

The recognition of God's holy house. 

Around were seated those, who selling doves 

And those, the money changers, traffickers, 

Pharisaic all, who, with tables fixed. 

Did, thieflike, make their central den for trade 

In consecrated walls. 

Jesus entered there, and, with ej^es intent 
X^pon the loathsome scene, He thus began : 

■■'' Ye priests in guize of God's chief ministers, 
I judge ye by your deeds. Nefarious 

And full of deadly sin, ye do convert 

A''our offices of trust, to profiting. 

A'our well worn subjects now, in truth, protest 

And do denounce your dire hypocris}-. 

At my command the populace will rise, 

With indignation seated on each brow 

*St. John, 11-13. 



34 THE SACRIFICE. 

And cast you headlong into crowded streets. 
Go! I bid you. Nor through the Temple pass. 
What says the Scripture? ye who mark its rule, 
' My house the house of prayer be called,' and ye 
Of this, His house, have made a den for thieves." 
With beaten countenance and angry brow 
Thieflike the}^ stole away, with shoulders couched 
In fear of those who now proclaimed Him King. 
The Temple cleansed, He there remained to teach 
And heal the lame and blind who sought His aid. 
In wrath waxed strong the priestly dignities 
As waned their power before His mighty sway. 
The cheer of welcome He, the day before, 
When passing Jury's portals, did receive, 
Rang out in clear accent, in children's cr5\ 
With " Hosanna to the Son of David !" 
With brow most choleric the Pharisee 
And Sadusee alike in silence stood, 
Quite vexed, and near bewildered at the scene, 
What action now to take, and best, they scanned 
Until rebuked by accidents they found 
Their only hope was now to make appeal 
To Him whom they'd deny the children's praise, 
Tht;s they : " Hearest thou not what these do sa}^ ?" 



THE TEMPLK. 35 

As if to 'mind Him of humilit}^, 
And so prevent the honors thus bestowed. 
But He to them replied : '' Yea, verily. 
And note mine honors gained, b}' them ascribed. 
And have ye not in those your Scriptures read, 
Wherin ye mark the letter, note ye then, 
' Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, ThovL 
Jehovah, hast perfected praise,' say they, 
' That Thou Thine enemies might put to shame 
And silence foes, and those who at Thee rage.' 
These, e'en your children, echo forth the praise 
Of Angel choirs, their lips well heaven's notps,'" 
With dread and fear at wisdom thus profound, 
His enemies, not touched by wonders heard, 
Nor brought to penitence and faith, were moved 
To fuller indignation. Waxing hard. 
They fell to scheming plots, treacherous deeds> 
Deep laid conspiracy and cunning acts, 
As if t' entrap the Master, laid they plans. 

Night brooded o'er the plain of Bethany, 
Our Saviour slept His farewell sleep on earth, 
The nights to come were to be spent in prayer. 
This then was solace to His mind, 'twas rest. 



36 THE SACRIFICE. 

The dawn but spent, the glowing light of day 

Lit up the eastern horizon, her scenes 

In colors grand, and found our lyord once more 

In Temple court, now questioned by His foes. 

Much like the Jewish race, that tree of fig. 

Which He had cursed before, was withered quite. 

What day was this in great Jerusalem, 

So full of scene, of incident extreme. 

The actors many and their transits quick 

That one would fail in all to recollect. 

Thus while in porch He walked and freely taught 

As one who with authority might teach, 

And not rely upon tradition old. 

As did the Scribes, the Pharisees, the priests 

Till they, to turn the t'de of populace 

In cowardice and cunning did proceed 

To arrogate with strict legality. 

Themselves, endeavoriog to question Him. 

'* By what authority doest Thou these thing?. 

Who gave Thee this authority, to do. 

Where thy credentials, and thine orders proved ? 

Surely Beelzebub, be now Thy guide." 

But foiled He them in question of that John, 

The witness of the Christ, believed bv all. 



THE TEMPI^K. 37 

Next cauie disciples of the Pharisees, 

In deep laid plot t' entangle Him in talk. 

Herodians too to tiip Him had combined, 

To move Him to rebel against the power, 

Or else disclaim Himself as Israel's King. 

To tempt Him they : " Master, is it lawful 

For us to give tribute unto Caesar, 

Or no ?" Thus He to them : " Ye hypocrites, 

I see quite through your cunning. — Let Me see 

Your tribute money. Whose image is this, 

And superscription ?" 

'* Caesar's," answered they. 

" Then render unto Caesar all such things 

As ye of Caesar do receive, to God 

The things of God. Again, that Pharisee 

A lawyer versed in code, thus tempting Him. 

But tempting learned of Him, who, tempted, taught. 

The foremost principal of all His Will, 

" Which of commandments all, the greatest be?" 

Then Jesus : " True love for God and man. 

To understand of this as thou doest now, 

Is to be near the Kingdom of thy God. 

But to possess this principal in truth 

Is to be like in nature unto God." 



38 THE SACRIFICE. 

No questions more, they capable to ask. 

He would instruct them of Himself, and asks 

"That question, far surpassing all on earth, 

^' What think ye of The Christ, whose Son is He?" 

■'' The Son of David." They. Then He again : 

^'How then, inspired, doth David call Him Lord?" 

Thus He asserts His true Messiahship. 

In human nature, by. descent, the Son, 

As son of God, divine, of David, Lord. 

Thus foiled in questions and m answers both 

His enemies in hostile rage waxed warm 

While all about the people friendly grew. 

The time had come when He should vent His mind. 

Now standing in the temple looking still 

Upon the backs of His accusers, turned. 

To His disciples and the multitude. 

Began He thus : " Of these same scribes beware, 

Who do with vain pretentions more aspire 

To reputation than to character. 

In lengthened robes for awe they do appear 

And thus, appear in prayer for human praise 

And do their order much exalt, enslave 

The people, and destroy God's love in man. 

They seek your greetings in the public marts, 



THE TEMPI^K. 39 

Por topmost seats they eagerly do strive 

As if or place or station proves them great : 

At feasts the chiefest rooms with pride, they seek, 

To give expression to their vanity." 

Then Peter thus : " My Lord. Their rule and word 

We'll not obey, but cross them in their power." 

'' Nay, Peter." Thus the Christ. " Alack, they sit 

In Moses' seat : a3'e, and do continue 

Well his place in legal explanation. 

Their doctrines, for the}^ mark his statutes well 

And their decisions are in substance right. 

In office they succeed, therefore observe. 

But teaching fail to practice, this avoid. 

Heavy are their burdens, and to be born 

Most grievous they upon men's shoulder's bind. 

Which they, not e'en the finger's power support. 

Void of knowledge, they teachers would be called 

This title crave ye not. One is your Master 

The Christ, and 3'e are brethren. On earth call 

No man father, One alone is Father 

And He in heaven, who a!one shall teach. 

But he that would be honored let him serve. 

And whomsoever shall himself exalt 

Shall humbled be. Humility exalteth." 



40 THE SACRIFICE. 

He now, as if more moved at what He said 

With grievous accent and in pity quite, 

Arising, and in stately pose, resumed : 

" Upon you, Scribes, and you vain Pharisees 

You hypocrites, dissemblers, shall come woe. 

Oh, deceitful men ; and, with satan fed. 

The houses of poor widows ye devour 

Who, unprotected, and by you deceived 

Do credit much the strength of lengthy prayer. 

Damnation greater ye for this receive. 

Woe to you Scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites ! 

Ye, at the portals of My Kingdom stand 

And by instructions foul deny mankind 

The blessings of a spiritual sphere. 

Which they do crave, but ye yourselves resist. 

Ye compass sea and land in quest of one 

And when ye have him gained, the child of hell 

Two fold, your proselyte, than you, becomes, 

Woe unto you, ye blind, deceitful guides. 

Ye do despise the Temple of your God, 

But praise the gold thereof, by it to swear. 

And thus the victims of your gain will give. 

Ye fools and blind men, which is greater, gold 

Or that by which the gold is sanctified ? 



THE TEMPI^E. 41 

Ye say that he who by the altar swears 
Does naught, but he that by the altar's gift. 
Is not the altar which doeth sanctify 
Much greater than the gift? By this 3'e gain. 
He that by the altar swears, by it swears 
And all things else thereon, and he who swears 
By temple grand, by Him who dwells therein 
He swears, or else, by heaven, by God's throne 
Doth sw^ear, and doth by Him who thereon sits. 
Woe unto you, ye Scribes, ye Pharisees, 
Ye hypocrites, the lighter tithe of mint 
And anise and of cummin, do ye pay 
That ye may swell th' coffers of the Temple 
While weighty matters of the Law^, Judgment, 
Mercy, faith ye do omit. These rather 
Ought ye have done, nor others left undone. 
But mark the I^aw, that ye may justly do, 
Love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. 
Ye do the worthless matters close' observe 
While matters of some moment disregard. 
Ye blinded guides, how strain ye out the gnat, 
And more, the camel swallow. To you woe, 
Scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites ye do make 
The outside of the cup or platter clean, 



42 THE sacrifice;. 

Within is but extortion and excess. 

Pirst cleanse the inside of the cup and dish 

That also soon, the outside may become. 

Ye palid sepulchers, ye do indeed 

In outward guise most beautiful appear 

While all within composed of dead men's bones 

Which decomposed, fill ye with rottenness. 

Ye, thus veneered with some religious cast 

Do unto men appear in righteous garb, 

While all within is but hypocrisy." 

The Saviour raised His eyes and saw far out 

O'er Kedron's vale the tombs of prophets made 

In ancient days on sloping Olivet. 

Again, with deeper thoughts, in accent loud 

More personal with Him, began He thus : 

" Ye Scribes, ye Pharisees, ye hypocrites 

Ye build the tombs of prophets and persist 

The sepulchers of righteous men to cleanse 

And thus with tongue dissembling do cry : 

' Had we in former days with th' fathers lived 

Not would we have with them partakers been 

In prophets' blood.' But witness to yourselves 

That 3^e sons of them which killed them be. 

Ye call them fathers. Well: for like them ve 



THK TKMPIvE. 43 

In spirit and in act ye them portray 

By filling up their measure in My death 

And massacreing those M^hom I may send. 

Ye serpents, hissing 'neath the bush of cant 

But lay in wait, to pour out venom rank 

Upon the Innocent. Oh, ye vipers. 

How then can ye hell's judgment dread escape ? 

Behold, to you my prophets, scribes, I send. 

Ye, like your fathers, some of them shall kill 

And crucify and in your places scourge, 

From city unto city persecute, 

That on you shall be poured the righteous blood 

From Abel unto that one whom ye stoned 

Upon the king's command in th' temple's court. 

But for denouncing sin. In truth I say 

This generation shall all these things bear." — 

And then, as if burst forth o'er crovs^ded grief 

The Saviour full of pit}^ charged with doom 

The city of His love, and prophesied : 

"O thou Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 

That killest prophets, stonest them I send 

To thee for th}^ correction and thy peace. 

How often I thy children would have called 

And gathered them as doth the hen her brood, 



44 THE SACRIFICE. 

And ye would not : Behold tlie;e naught remains 

But that thy house be left to thee. I go, 

Ye are alone and unprotected quite. 

Destruction shall o'erwhelni ye e'er I come. 

For hencef rth ye shall see me not again, 

My death is now at hand, until ye say 

At seeing Me in glory, e'en as they 

Who cried aloud when I did enter here. 

Thus typing forth my advent yet to be, 

' Blessed He who in the Lord's name cometh.' " 

The cave'rn thus, 'tween future and the past 

Including high and low, was fu ly crossed 

The whole hierarchy now must sure resent. 

If they retain their station, hold their power. 

The Christ must perish, else the Church's sin. 

Shall vested interest in fantasy 

And cunning selfishness arrayed prevail 

Or, He that came to rectify our loss ? 

Let each one for himself, in thought decide. 

Here shone the nature of the Christ supreme. 

Well He His course, that needs must follow, knew, 

In purity arrayed, and robed in truth 

In moral grandeur, infinite, complete 

In love etern' and tweet hrmility 



THE TEMPIvE. 45 

With consecration to the Will of God 

And for the good of man self-sacrifice, 

Transcendently He stood opposed to forms 

Of outward mien; but, holiness within, 

Religion and morality, embraced, 

And conscience highly wrought with Him had weight 

While Rabbinism, prostrate, lay condemned. 

Thus o'er his native state, o'er Israel's lot, 

He raised His eyes in lamentation grand 

Bewailing Juda's chosen course, to His. 

We shift the scene, within the Woman's court, 
There sat the Lord nearby the treasury box ; 
The rich man cast in much, but He espied 
The widow in her lowly state, most poor, 
With consecrated mind, a farthing give. 
He then to His disciples thus : " Good friends ! 
Behold the woman ! verily I say, 
She of her poverty hath cast in more 
Than they of their abundance. Mark it well ! 
The value of a gift, is what the heart 
And not one's means, bestows. She gave her all." 

Centurions, dispatched by Roman power 
To guard in Jewry while the feast was kept 
Now with the Greeks, who early came to see 



46 THE SACRIFICE. 

And worship at the feast, e'eu Stratocles 

And that same Euclides,"* who anxious 

For Jerusalem, and her safety still, 

Rejoiced to see Messias enter there, 

Sought now to speak with Him. Thus Stratocles 

" A word good Philip, we would Jesus see !" 

" His grief is sad, on weighty matters fixed 

And He would not converse in person now. 

I'll speak to Andrew. He may better tell. 

Brother, these with the Master would converse." 

" I'll tell Him so, perchance He'^11 note you. 

If so, most like' it will His mind divert 

From grievous incident. — My L^ord. Master." 

Thus Andrew to the Christ. " We'd speak v^dth Thee. 

Then Jesus, as if waking from a dream, 

Smoothed back His locks, and looked upon the men, 

" Good sirs, what would you ? If for good of man. 

Relate your thoughts that I may comfort give." 

Then Stratocles, with trembling lips, advanced ; 



*The reader will notice I mike these characters Greek ; and, will 
remember that Judaism had her proselytes ; and that Home employed 
the Greek in her service. The strength of this choice will especially 
be seen in the fact that through such circumstances Christ's Churcli 
■was made catholic, the Gospel preached to the gentile nations which 
received Him as the Saviour and proclaimed Him such, while His own, 
as a nation, rejected Him. — See Fobertso?i's Churcfi History, vol. / / 
Cutis' Tuniifi^ Points of General Church H'story. 



THE TEMPI^K. 47 

" Art thou to reign, and Israel redeem ?" 

" Aye, friends, kind sirs, the hour is e'en now come 

That I the son of frail humanity 

Be glorified. Nay, do not smile, but list. 

For sorrow quick shall follow cheerful face, 

As nature witnesseth, so verily 

I say to you, except a corn of wheat 

Fall in the earth and die, it by itself 

Alone shall sure abide : but if it die. 

It bringeth forth much fruit. Whilst I may live, 

My life remains bound up in self. In death, 

It breaks its cerements and doth multiply. 

E'en as the seed w^hich to the stalk gives life 

My life shall enter that which from it springs. 

Likewise shall my disciples after Me, 

If they would gain of Me eternal life. 

He that in this world would his life preserve 

Shall lose the life eternal, he that gives 

His life in this world, shall it ever keep. 

He that would serve, let him to this end come, 

And he shall be with Me where e'er I am. 

And sit upon the right hand of My throne. 

He that serveth Me my Father honors." 

The Son of Man in human weakness now 



48 THE SACRIFICE. 

Apart from strength divine, in vision apt 

Doth view the coming act, and shadows forth 

The heart-sick woe, of dread Gethsemane. 

With buried head, and voice depressed. He groaned : 

" Now is my soul troubled,— what shall I say ? — 

Oh, Father, spare Me, — save Me from this hour ? — 

Not so, for this cause came I to this hour. 

The past has been mere' progress tow'rd this door 

Which opens to a bright eternity. 

Nay, Father, I come. Glorify Thy name. 

To do Thy will, O God, I die for man. 

At this, as in attestation grand, 

To seal His mission, came a voice divine 

As rumbling thunder, though a cloudless sky : 

" It have I glorified and will again." 

Thus, Jesus, then : "Ye quest among yourselves, 

As if to doubt, if thunder or a voice ? 

This voice came not for Me, but for your sakes 

That ye may now believe and have much faith 

For ye must now decide regarding Me. 

The judgment of My Father touches close 

The prince of darkness. By My victory 

Through death, shall come the weakness of my foe 

His worldly kingdom shall to Mine soon yield. 



THE TKMPIvE. 49 

For I, if I be lifted on the cross 

And by that death unto My Father pass 

The power of that same cross shall touch men's hearts 

And draw them unto Me. The Holy Ghost 

Whom I shall from our nature forthwith send 

Shall teach them love and they shall serve their King." 

Then Stratocles, as if the cross a block 

Of stumbling to himself and nation, spake : 

" Good Master, from the law we this have gained 

That Christ abideth ever on this earth. 

If thou art He, what then shall we infer ? 

If that the Son of Man be lifted up, 

To whom, the Son of Man, doest Thou refer ? " 

The Christ : " In this body for Me prepared, 

Now dwells the nature of the very God. 

The Light of the World; aye, the Truth Divine. 

A little while the Light is with you still, 

Believe ye, while ye have the Light to see ! 

Lest unbelief o'ershadow you, and doubt. 

For he who doth in darkness walk, knows not 

The way he goeth. Then while ye may, believe, 

That ye the children of that Light may be." 

The moment now to bid farewell had come, 

Forever to the Temple of His tribe. 



50, THE SACRIFICE. 

The centre of the ancient dispensation. 

Thus once again with pleading voice, intent, 

To tear Himself from those who followed, loathe ; 

Cried FJe : " Think not that I would, ye believe 

In Me, but through Me on Him that sent Me. 

I have come a Light to manifest 

The nature of the living God to man. 

That he believing Me, might comprehend 

And understand His Word. I judge him not 

That fails My sa3dngs to believe ; to save 

The world come I and not to judge. 

But he that doth reject me and My words 

His conscience touched by truth divine 

Which I make manifest, at last shall judge. 

Not of Myself have I declared the Will. 

The Father which did send Me gave command 

What I should say and speak. His Word is Life." 

The twilight hour was now approaching fast, 

When Jesus and His twelve would soon betake 

Them to the quiet shades of Bethlehem. 

The desolation of Jerusalem 

Had now begun when Jesus left her walls 

No more to come to her with words of peace. 

The temple now whose judgment He predicted 



THE TEMPIvE. 51 

Should ne'er again His sacred frame contain. 

Her, had He quitted, and her officers. 

They wound their way along the holy road 

Which led o'er Olivet, and turning 'bout 

Beheld the grandeur of Moria's Mount, 

Bedecked with temple grand and crowned with gold. 

The sinking sun delayed to pour his beams 

Of gold on marble halls, and terraced courts. 

With sorrowed brov/ the little band made halt 

And Peter, keen with touch of sympathy 

Deplored the sentence of Jerusalem, 

And thus addressed the Christ, " Good Master see 

How rich in gold and snowy marble laid 

With workmanship superb, is yonder house 

And gifts, and precious stones. Must all these fall? " 

" Seest thou these buildings great, these statues, 

Images, gifts, and all this massive stone ? 

Verily, to you, I say, cometh days. 

When not one stone shall here be left to stand 

Upon another, and not be cast down." 

As if to take their parting glance, they paused 

And rested them upon the mount to gaze. 

Around were Peter, Andrew, James, and John 

In sorrow pent in sadness with their Lord, 



52 THE sacrifice:. 

And anxious of the hour, in private asked : 

" Most gracious Master, when shall this thing be ? 

And what the sign Thy coming to denote ? 

The ending of the world ?" He thus to them : 

"The history of events, the place, the time, 

'Tis not my purpose to relate, but tell, 

That ye take heed, that none lead you astray. 

For many in My name will come and say 

* I am the Christ,' and many shall deceive. 

And when ye shall of wars and rumors hear 

Fear not, for these things must needs come to pass. 

But the end is not immediately. 

The end of Judaism now is ripe, 

Its forms and ceremonies dead. Let pass. 

They think to save themselves from my reform, 

But at my death shall their corruptions die. 

This Gospel of My Kingdom shall be preached 

Throughout the world for a testimony 

To the nations, and then shall come the end. 

But fear ye this, lest any man shall say 

'IvO, here is Christ, or there ; ' believe it not. 

For there shall prophets false and false Christs come 

Who e'en shall show you signs and wonders great 

And fain, for Israel, to be from God. 



THE TEMPI^K. 53 

To free the nation and subdue the world 

Spread'Judaism over all the earth, 

Instead of peace these things shall bring you pain. 

If they shall mark the place where Christ shall be, 

Or in the desert, or in secret room 

Believe them not, nor go ye forth with them. 

For when the Son of Man shall come to reign 

'Twill be, as lightning flashing from the east 

Is seen unto the west, nor place, nor scene. 

But when the reign of Judaism ends 

And heathenism be subdued, then look." 

The Saviour paused, as if in silent grief 

He would His trial note, His prophecy 

Relate to anxious ears, and for their good. 

" Good friends, ye know that after two days more 

There comes the passover. Then spare j^our tears 

For scenes more direful than the past affords. 

The Son of Man shall be delivered up. 

This by treachery, to be crucified." 

Bach head was bowed in dread of further grief 

Save Judas, who in thoughtful mood walked by 

And stood behind with eyes on Jesus fixed. 

Thus he : " To this end I have followed Thee. 

I thought Thou wouldst have Israel redeemed, 



54 THE SACRIFICE. 

The true Messiah proved, and verily, 

M5'-self the treasurer of state become. 

Now all is done, the die is lost to me. 

My favor with my people gone, and priests. 

And Thou, for whom mine all I sacrificed, 

Like a hopeful rose blasted in its bud 

Afford' st Thine followers but shame and death." 

The three days' business of the week had passed 

And now a Sabbath to His soul, a rest 

Before His agony. But for the Jews 

The priests and elders, great confusion ruled. 

Like Isaac's sacrifice, with willing mind 

Which on that mount one time took place, the Christ 

With voluntary will, doth offer self. 

In still retirement thus, of thoughts on death 

Preparatory to their parting hour 

He did with His disciples much converse. 

The manner of his death He oft did tell 

In parable, prophetic incident, 

In temple and to individual man, 

How He the types of ancient days fulfilled 

In this, for once, His agonizing death. 

For more prepared need they to be than He 

That the}' His cross might bear and recognize 



THE TEMPI^E. 55 

In Him the Shepherd of His sheep, '■ the Heir.t 

That they a triumph not anticipate 

But sacrifice for sin His mission here. 

His body for this purpose was prepared. 

But Judas, thus by nature made to fill, 

His part important in earth's drama great 

In fullness failed these things to comprehend, 

Moved onward in his deep intriguing course. 

In Joseph's palace, He, that Caiaphas 

So named ''The Oppressor," high priest, acting, 

And foremost in the movement 'gainst our Lord, 

The priestly council had assembled there. 

Temple officers, the scribes, the elders, 

Sanhedrists and the rest, consultant how 

They might Him take, in secret put to death. 

Thus Caiaphas : " The people favor Him. 

And lest our power, our office be denied 

We must avert them in their ebbing tide. 

His strength must with the setting sun decline, 

Or else we, shadow like, will dismal grow 

Before the glow of his o'erwhelming ra3^" 

" Nay, Caiaphas," thus Joseph made reply, 

" But spare Him till the ending of the feast. 

*St. John, X. 11-18. +St. Matthew, xxi. 33-45. 



56 THE SACRIFICE. 

Nor mar our holy acts with actions foul. 

'Tiswell we have the people's voice in this 

Lest they, dissatisfied, 'gainst us rebel 

And censure for so bold a recompense. 

Then that which now would satisfy for loss 

Of power, would turn again and cripple us." 

Then Annas, e'en with Caiaphas, intent 

Upon His death : '' Nay, you in weakness speak. 

The rabble caters to prevailing strength 

Whether it be centred in this our foe 

Or us, concerns them not, but which is great. 

Then lest he gain more power we'll cross Him here." 

Nicodemus thus : " Pardon, sirs, your plans 

Conflict with legal warranting. Behold : 

Our order has no power to put to death 

Though we Him prove of villianous intents." 

"Aye, aye," excited Caiaphas exclaimed, 

" But Rome, her malefactors shall dispose 

And those with treason charged, to sentence grave. 

Nor Herod dare, nor Pilate us refuse 

An audience, when we defend the state. 

If we may prove He looks on Cgesar's throne 

With hopes usurping of his power, we gain 

Our purposed aims. In this there seems some truth, 



The temple. 57 

Would not the people make Him king who cried 

Hosanna? This, Tiberius, would move, 

With much suspicion, and in dread of Him 

Give orders for His death. We, common friends 

In favor with his rule, will him apprise. 

And he in turn relieve us of all crime." 

Gamaliel, most learned in the law 

With wisdom great and in discretion versed 

In few words choice to Caiaphas gave voice : 

"Your plans, I like them not, nor recommend 

His death. Pra}^ wait the ending of the feast. 

If He returns not then to Galilee, 

But lingers here, we'll further test His will, 

If it be for the good of Israel 

Or self. Till then, at least, from this refrain. 

For know you not that Theudas, boastful 

Of himself, and Judas too, who perished 

Likewise ? E'en so shall this same Jesus fare. 

If God be with Him, then we fight in vain. 

And for our safety wary be to act. 

Lest at the climax of his course, w^e lose. 

But bide oiir time. At present all seems ill." 

Then Caiaphas : " My heart cries for his blood. 

But how to come by it perplexes much 



58 THK SACRlIi'lCE. 

My will, and not give cause for great offense." 

At this, as if some darker power contrived 

Than Caiaphas, his favor still supplied. 

The guards who kept the outer court, perceived 

From the distance a human form draw near. 

'Twas that same form, the onl}- southern Jew, 

Who knew the inmost thoughts of Jesus' will. 

Who now the dying Christ, with flame, thrust out, 

And welcomed to his heart the evil one. 

'Twas Judas. Thus he to the chiefest guard : 

" Caiaphas, the high priest, attends within? " 

"He does." 

" I beg an audience." 

*' His business now imports of great moment." 

•" But that of mine will touch him closer still 

If I his will perceive, than now concerns 

The disposal of his mind. 'Tis one word, 

The whereabouts of Jesus, his dread foe." 

" He'll gladly welcome you." 

At this the traitor gained admission there 

Where evil boiled, and deep damnation surged 

In minds too like his own. He stood in pose. 

As like the marble under foot, his heart 

.Grew cold and hard, his thoughts waxed deadly black. 



The TEmpi^e. 59 

" What business calls you to our presence, sir?" 

Asked Caiaphas, as he tow' rd him advanced. 

As some secret cause, or some personal act 

Bespoke the visage of the hour. " Sir, speak." . 

" My business touches close 3'our persons all. 

I am Judas, of Him a follower, 

Who lately moved the city to proclaim 

Him great, who even thus far did aspire 

To royal grace, and I with him held hope. 

I learn of late 3'our wishes to entrap 

And take Him captive. It is in nu^ power 

To aid you in this thing. What will ye give 

If I betray him unto you this night? " 

" Give," cried Caiaphas, " the price of a slave. 

Good ni}' brothers ! In this most seeming cause 

All riches to our coffers flow. This done 

And we are cleared of guilt, of selfish gain 

We'll not be charged withal. But being ours 

He shall then fill the lot of our demand. 

And one must for the nation this year die." 

" Then thirt}'- shekels from the treasury," 

Responded Annas, in as boastful voice. 

*' 'Tis so agreed," Iscariot declared. 

And then aside, " And I their favor gained 



6o . THE SACRIFICE. 

Shall more enrich myself at this small price 

Than hold for greater bribe." Again aloud : 

'• Friends, I am with you all, and shall hold good. 

He ofttimes rests on Olivet, and there 

In feigning utterance, devotes the hours 

Of deepest night in prayer. There He will come. 

Or there, or other place, I'll note you Him. 

And when the fitting hour directs I'll lead 

You to possession of your dreaded prize." 

Thus closed the scene. Conspiracy waxed strong. 

Plot followed plot, hell belched his thickest ire. 

The' deceiver thus deceived but worked the will 

Of Him who would Himself make sacrifice 

And thus cross Satan in his pleasing scheme. 



CANTO III. 



THE UPPER ROOM, 



The evening shades did pencil now the sky 

And flushed the fleecy cloud with crimson hue. 

Twilight hovered round, dimness grew apace, 

"With the quick decline of the orb of day. 

Three stars which signalled forth the paschal feast 

O'er the eastern horizon smiling peeped 

And spied Jerusalem in festive garb. 

Peopled, rich with Hebrews of foreign clime, 

And pilgrims coming still in hasty tread 

The sea-^on to observe. While all around 

The spring flowers, bright and gay, bedecked the green 

Which, dotted with the white tents, a crowd bespoke 

Unusual to that holy mart. 

The trumpet from the temple sounded loud, 

Its blasts proclaimed to all Jerusalem 



62 THE SACRIFICK. 

And country 'round the keeping of the feast. 
Those two disciples, Peter and that John 
Whose love for Jesus surpassed all, had come 
As He directed them, and there, most like, 

Where Mark held his abode, procured that room 
Where Christ and all His twelve might celebrate, 
Here they complete, but nothing more convened. 
Not e'en His Mother, who did at his birth 
Procure a place in keeping with request 
Now made by Him, a " hostelry," no more. 
Did enter there, she stayed in Bethany. 
He and the twelve, with Judas not forgot, 
Lest Satan too himself did there present. 
In guise of that same traitor to our Lord, 
Were now, with banquet served, in places fixed 
This only sacrifice by Him offered 
Symbolical of that when He Himself 
Would sacrifice, completed quite the past 
Memorial of Juda's safety gained, 
And that same sacrament did institute 
By which we keep in memory His death 
LTntil He come again, and feed on Him. 
Thus He : " Desiring I desired to eat 
With you this Pascha before I suffer." 



THB UPPKR ROOM. 63 

The cup that I have blessed divide among yourselves 

And this shall be the last. No more to eat 

The Passover shall we assemble here, 

Nor I with you, until Our Kingdom come." 

An hour more solemn than the rest was this 

To Him, than all His time in human form, 

With this began that of His loneliness. 

Grief vexed Him sore with thoughts of things to come, 

How He who came from God, must go to God, 

And leave behind disputants for some power, 

Now manifest in those e'en whom He loved 

As they made strife for places uppermost. 

So Judas still persistent in His will 

Held next to Him, the left, while John the right 

As in His bosom lay, and Peter last. 

The rest at table found their places well, 

Then Jesus quite observant of their greed, 

As if by object lesson to instruct, 

And verse them in humility, arose. 

His garments threw aside, and with a towel 

Did gird Himself in keeping with the slave, 

With bowl, proceeded thus their feet to cleanse. 

Then Simon Peter : " Lord, do'st wash my feet?" 

*' What I do thou perceivest not, but shalt 



64 THE SACRIFICE. 

Hereafter understand." 

^' Nay, I am least, ne'er shalt thou wash my feet." 
" If not thy feet thou hast no part in Me 
The body must be clean, all parts be served." 
^' Thy will and Thine intents be satisfied. 
My Ivord, my hands and head, beside my feet." 
" He that is bathed need not but wash his feet, 
But is clean entire ; ye are clean, not all. 
Strive not among yourselves to be foremost. 
The gentile kings do lord it over them. 
Be ye not so. The greatest shall be least, 
And ask the meaning of this passover. 
And he that is chief, be as he that serves. 
I am amongst you as he that serveth. 
Ye call me lyord, and Master : ye say well, 
'Tis even so. If then th' Lord and Master 
Himself doth humble thus to w^ash your feet 
Ye likewise ought among yourselves to do. 
Mark my example. Do as I have done. 
The servant is not greater than his Lord, 
Neither is He greater who has been sent 
Than He that sent Him. I shall send you soon. 
Blessed ye that know these things and do them. 
I speak not of you all. For verily 



THE UPPKR ROOM. 65 

1 know whom I have chosen, and shall send. 

But, alas ! what says our father David : 

' He that with me of mine own bread doth eat 

Hath e'en against me lifted up his heel.'* 

So false are some to trust, they traitors turn. 

This thing I tell you of before it come 

That when it come, ye may believe Me Him 

The true Messiah to the human race. 

One of you, verily, shall me betray." 

As if some lightening dart had struck them swift 

Their souls did grieve them at this sentence sharp. 

And, for a moment losing hope of Him 

As temporal king, still, with love most real 

From lip to lip the same phrase went the round, 

All miscreant in faithfulness tow'rd Him. 

" Lord is it I ?" '' Good master is it I ?" 

Thus Jesus made reply : ''You question whom? 

His hand is with Me now upon the board. 

'Tis one of twelve that dippeth in the dish." 

Excited much and moved with fear and dread 

Lest they who loved Him now should prove Him false, 

Turned each one to his neighbor and enquired. 

If ought they knew of direful circumstance. 



*i'salm XLi. 9. 



66 THE SACRIFICE. 

'Twas strange to them. They had not thought it least.. 

Then Peter 'cross the table to St. John 

Resting next his Ivord, beckoned him to ask 

Of whom He spake. John, then in lowered tone : 

" IvOrd, who is it ?" 

Thus Jesus : " He it is, when 1 have dipped, 

To whom I give a sop, me shall betray." 

To John alone this. Then to all were there. 

As if with pity and with last appeal 

He'd warn all that was human in the man 

Who now about to take his fatal step 

Lay silent in his evil thinking mood. 

" Truly," resumed our lyord. "The Son of man. 

Indeed doth go, as was determined 

But woe shall come upon that man, and grief, 

His conscience shall inflict him, and his deed 

y 

Shall rise to test him to his death with truth 
Of his mistaken course, his action foul. 
'Twere well for him had he been left unborn." 
Then Judas to himself: " He knows my task. 
But does He know 'tis I that shall betray ? 
If so, between Him and myself has come 
The hour for separation. That same form 
That moved with awe, in its majestic tread 



THE UPPER ROOM. 67 

My cunning mind and led me on to hope 

For honors new bestowed upon my lot, 

That same voice, whose virtuous tone, has stayed 

My evil parts from bold suggestion quite 

And touched me with discomfort in my place 

Must be to me a blank, a shadow past. 

If He hath learned my plot, I'll to it quick," — 

And then in whisper to the Christ, he asked : 

" Good Master, is it I ?'"' The Christ replied : 

" Thou hast said." The dipped sop gave to Judas 

With this to add : " That thou doest, do quickly." 

Then Judas : " St). Thou hast perceived my plans ?" 

" With memory surpassed, I knew them well, 

E'er thou wert born. But that thy mind should grasp 

A chance so opportune it to profess 

The cunning nature of thy soul's disgrace 

I charge thee now obe}^ it, Satan serve. 

To do so serves thy will, and my decree. 

Thus b}- the death of Innocence, redeemed 

The fallen soul of man, sinners shall be." 

Iscariot aside : " Traitor, thy speech 

Bespeaks insanity, or else thy plot 

To gain some kingl}^ power, quite overthrown 

Hast left Thee desperate, and fain would die 



68 THE SACRIFICE. 

Than make confession of Thy deadly guilt 

To Jewry's chosen pride, her 103'^al priests. 

Thou think'st perchance, to thus escape my power 

But if I fail not in my purposed course 

The high priest and the great sanhedrin shall 

This night compel Thee to retrace Thy steps." — 

" To Jesus then. " I'll go, as Thou hast said. 

But woe to Thee and to Thy followers. 

The ewe and all her lambs shall fall a prey." 

^' Nay spare thee further grief," re; lied the Christ, 

" Though thou shalt say, and be thy actions foul 

My soul doth bleed for thee. I love'^ thee still. 

And when thou shalt repent of this thy course 

Mistaken, for thou art to my grace blind, 

I'll pray the Father 'thee. Thou knowest not." 

At this, Iscariot, with fleetest step 

Sought out the council where had met the priests 

Determined on our Saviour's death. 

To bring them straight where they might capture Him. 

Now, as he rose, and left his Master's side, 

Distrustful of that Master's precious grace, 

With sullen countenance and lowered brow. 

His comrades qustioned not, but thought he went 

To still provide the further needs offcast, 



THE; UPPER ROOM. 69 

Or else, as he retained their surplus funds, 

To give, as was the custom, to the poor. 

A moment of marked silence now, impressed 

The number odd that still with Christ remained 

Of His deep stud}' mood, of how He sighed 

Until, as like ths crj^staled bank, when past 

The sable cloud, doth lighten in the sun, 

His face did shine with satisfaction gained. 

Thus He : " The Son of Man is glorified. 

He makes now voluntary sacrifice 

And now, too, God is glorified in Him 

And doth acknowledge His obedience 

Him in Himself He'll also glorify 

He will Him crown with death upon the cross. 

And that He'll straightway do. — Little children. 

Yet a little while am I with you all 

But soon I leave you. I must go away. 

Ye shall seek me : but, even as I said 

To th' Jews, where I shall go ye cannot come. 

So now I say to you. Nay, be not sad. 

If aught ye have in Me perceived, 'tis this. 

The attribute of Love. That is My will. 

Ye knew of love before, but not of mine, 

Nor have I yet commanded you to love. 



yo THE SACRIFICE. 

A new commandment give I uuto you : 
Love one another, as I have loved you, 
Unto the hour of death, and give Myself 
A ransom for your souls that ye may live ; 
With e'en such love, ye one another love. 
By this same love shall all men know you mine. 
Be faithful subjects to My law of love, 
And so regard My kingdom, love divine." 

The third cup of the evening meal must pass 
In custom mixed of water and of wine. 
And as they ate He took in hand some bread 
Which when that He had blessed, He brake and gave 
To His disciples, with Him still at feast. 
With solemn words and mystery combined. 
If of that bread which represents, He spake, 
Or of that body which must soon be broke 
We'll venture not to know, but thus spake He 
" Take, eat ; this* my body," and passed it 'round, 

*I drop the copula ' is,' over which there has been so much bitter 
discussion in the Church, for sake of convenience, Edersheim claims 
that the copula 'is' [' This is My Body,' ' This is My Blood '] was 
<:ertainly noi spoken by the Lord in the Aramaic just as it does not 
occur in the Jewish formula in the breaking of bread at the begin- 
ning of the Paschal Supper, (at which He instituted His memorial,) 
and the words : ' Body which is giyen,' or, in I Cor. xi. 24 ' broken ' 
and 'Blood which is shed, should be more correctly rendered : is 
being given, broken, shed. — See the Life and Times of Jesus the Mes- 
siah, vol. II, pg. 510. 



THE UPPER ROOM. 71 

And then the cup of blessing He took up 
And thanking, gave to them, and spake He thus : 
*' Drink ye all of it. For this my blood, 
Of the covenant, even that is poured 
Out unto remission of sins. This do 
In remembrance of Me, as oft as ye 
Shall drink. But verily I say to you 
I will no more drink of this fruit o' th' vine 
Until that day—' Oh God, Thou wilt not leave 
My soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer 
Thine most Holy One to see corruption ' — 
When I drink it new in th' Kingdom of God. 
Then Peter said: '' Lord whither goest thou?" 
" Whither I go, thou canst not follow now ; 
But thou shalt follow afterward. — How weak 
Their souls, nor dream they yet of coming trials 
Which needs must visit them in future days. 
But when they shall be blessed with spirit much 
They can endure the death for mine own sake." 
** Nay, Lord, why cannot I now follow thee ? 
My Lord, I will for thee my life lay down." 
*' Peter, that thou dost love Me I believe, 
That thou would'st follow me to death I trow 
Thine intents good. Offended shall ye be. 



72 THE SACRIFICE- 

And all because of me this night. 'Tis writ : 

' The shepherd I will smite, and shall the sheep 

O' th' flock be scattered abroad.' When raised up- 

I'll go before you into Galilee." 

" Though all mert be offended for of Thee 

Yet not will I." So, Peter, full of zeal, 

And faithful to his Lord, made quick reply. 

Then Jesus, cognizant of his defect 

And of the weakness in the human race. 

How they resolve, and when temptation conies 

Fall headlong in her smiling lap, to him : 

" Simon, Simon," not Peter now, " behold. 

For he that standeth by himself shall fall, 

Self confidence is fickle, and when tried 

Forgets its good intents and falls a prey 

To evil consequence, Satan desired 

To have thee, and as wheat to sift thy strength 

As he did Job, before thee, in his trial. 

But supplication for thee I have made 

And what I ask shall be. Thy faith fail not. 

And when thou shalt thy weakness comprehend 

And out of weakness strengthened in thy trust 

Of my protection, go warn thy brethren. 

" Lord I trust Thee, and ready am to go 



THE UPPER ROOM. 73 

With Thee, both urito prison and to death." 
" Nay, Peter. Know thyself, examine well, 
Thy study is to know" thy weakest part, 
That when temptation comes, to shut that door. 
Wilt thou indeed lay down thy life for me ? 
Thou shalt e'en do the same. But verily 
I say to thes, the cock shall not crow twice 
This night, before thou shalt deny me thrice." 
" Nay, good, my Lord. If I must with thee die 
I'll not deny Thee." Ivikewise said they all. 
" When I went with you lacked ye anything ?" 
" Nothing, Lord." 

'' Now provide yourselves w4th necessaries. 
Think not all strange that I have said this night. 
Let him that hath no sword his garment sell, 
And purchase to himself a manuscript. 
Before, I taught, you all, but now ye search 
The scriptures, and with them pierce the hearts 
Of them who do not comprehend my life, 
They testify of Me. And this I say, 
This that is written in Bsaias' book 
Must be fulfilled in Me, " He was reckoned 
With transgressors.'"* These things concerning Me 
. *Isaiah liii. 12. 



74 THE SACRIFICE. 

In Me have their fulfillment. Mark them well." 

Sadness o'er the hour his dismal cloak did spread 

And each Apostle grieved the loss of Him 

Who had been their support in time of trial 

And so sustained them in their every act 

That now, without Him, they knew not what would be, 

But He in recognition of their state 

As ever constant with those loving Him, 

With pity looked upon His chosen few 

With thoughts to comfort them when He were gone. 

'■'■ Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe 

In God, also believe in Me." Thus He : 

" In My Father's house are mansions many. 

Of spheres or stations suitable to all. 

In this I speak the truth ; no vantage gained, 

If not, I would have told you. Be not grieved. 

I go to welcome you. And if I go 

And for you there a place prepare, I'll come 

Again, as I have said before, and you 

Unto myself receive : that where I am 

Ye may be also there. Whither I go 

And, too, the way, ye know." Then Thomas thus : 

With mind material, the spiritual 

Quite dull to comprehend : " Lord, we know not, 



THE UPPER ROOM. 75 

And less we know the way, where thou shalt go." 

^' I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. No man 

Unto the Father comes, but that by Me — 

The Father's nature learns, His Will obeys. 

If ye had known My mind, ye should have known 

Also My Father's will, henceforth ye know. 

And have Him also seen." Thus Philip, then : 

"Lord, show the Father. It sufficeth us." 

^' Have I so long time with you been, Philip, 

And yet hast not known Me ? He that hath seen 

Me hath the Father seen. Believest not 

That I am in the Father, He in Me ? 

The words which I unto you speak, I speak 

Not from Myself, but He that in Me dwells. 

The works I seem to do the Father doeth. 

That I am in the Father, Me believe, 

And He in me : or else ye this believe 

To understand the works. For verily 

I say to you, he that on Me believes, 

The works I do, he them shall also do. 

The spirit works the same. Nay ! greater works 

Than these, the miracles that I have wrought, 

Shall he soon do, because I go away, 

For he shall bring the souls of men to Me. 



76 THE SACRIFICE. 

And whatsoever ye shall ask through Me, 

And in My spirit asked, that will I do, 

That in His Son, God may be glorified. 

What ye may ask according to My will 

That will I do. For if ye truely love 

And of My nature do partake, ye will 

Keep my commandments, and. My will, perform. 

When I am gone I will the Father pray 

And He another Comforter shall give. 

That he with you may evermore abide. 

Even the Spirit of Truth ; whom the world 

Cannot receive. It doth not Him perceive 

Neither knoweth Him : but ye do know Him ; 

"For He wdth you abideth, where I am. 

When I shall go. He shall in you abide. 

A little while th' world seeth Me no more ; 

But ye shall see Me still ; because I live. 

Ye shall also live. At that day when all 

My doctrine shall in spirit be revealed 

Ye shall know that I am in my Father, 

Ye in Me, I in you, and will to Him 

Who loveth Me, myself make manifest 

And of Me and my Father shall be loved." 

Then Judas Thaddeus, in simple quest 



THE UPPER ROOM. 77 

Still looking for a worldly Christ, did ask, 

How, that He to individual man 

Himself make manifest, and not the world? 

" If a man love Me," saith the Christ to him, 

'' He'll keep my word. My Father will him love 

We will unto him come and there abide. 

But they that love us not keep not my words. 

And the Word which ye do hear is not mine 

But the Will of the Father which sent Me. 

These things I speak while with you I abide 

But He the Advocate, the Holy Ghost, 

He whom the Father in my name will send. 

Shall teach you all things ; and, all things I've said 

To your remembrance bring, interpreting. 

Peace leave I with you. My peace give I you. 

Be not any further grieved nor fear. 

'Tis trup you'll see Me not in fleshy form. 

Death hides that from the view, the spirit lives. 

And if ye loved Me well ye would rejoice - 

Because I unto the Father go. 

For greater far the Father is than I. 

I have told you before it came to pass 

That when it come to pass ye may believe. 

Hereafter not much will I with you talk, — . 



78 THE SACRIFICE. 

The prince of this world, having naught in Me. 
Doth come, — but that the world may know, 
According to the Father's will I do 
At this same hour with voluntary step 
Present myself The Sacrifice for sin." — 
He paused, arose, and made to bid farewell 
To walls made sacred by His Eucharist. — 
"Arise, sing the Hallel.* — I^et us go hence." 



*Psalm cxv-cxviii. 



GBTHSKMANE. 79 



CANTO IV. 



GETHSEMANE, 



The Saviour and the eleven left, 

Had made their way through shadowed streets that night, 

Again crossed Kedron as she rippled down ^ 

In moonlight glare and crystal dancing wave 

The vale 'tween Olivet and Jewry's Dome. 

The vineyard now they entered, held their peace, 

While Jesus at the temple once more gazed, 

And His Apostles with Him looking on 

With true amazement at her marble towers. 

But soon they turned and made their way along 

The path which to Gethsemane did lead, 

And walking, Peter to the Christ remarked : 

" My Ivord, how huge the vines grow here, and fruit 

Surpassing all in fair Italia's clime. 



8o THE SACRIFICE. 

Methinks the vine the friendliest of plants, 

It merry makes the heart of man,* and drowns 

All grief! most requisite their care must be." 

Then Jesus apt to teach by simile, 

Spake thus :t " I the true vine am, My Father 

Is the husbandman. Every branch in me 

That beareth not its fruit, He doth remove, 

And every branch that beareth fruit to Me, 

He cleanseth it, that it more fruit may bear. 

Now ye are clean through that I spake to you, 

' Abide in Me, the Word, and I in you.' 

Like as the branch, itself cannot bear fruit 

Kxcept it in the vine abide, no more 

Can 3^e do righteousness apart from Me. 

In that ye much fruit bear is glorified 

My Father ; so, my disciples shall ye be. 

I am the source of solace to your grief, 

I cheer the heart of man. Vines need ye not ! 

E'en as the Father loveth Me, I you. 



*Psalm CIV. 15. 

+ Authorities are undecided upon the place where this speech 
occurred. Some think in the "Upper Room," others, on the way- 
through the city. It seems to me most probable in the garden where 
occasion might aptly be afforded for the same. The Apostle is not 
guarded in recording the incidents of our Lord's life in succession as 
they occurred. 



GETHSKMANE. 8 1 

Abide ye in My love. And so ye shall, 
If ye do My commandments keep, as I 
My Father's have observed, and in His love, 
Commingled in His nature quite, abide. 
So speak I that My joy in you abide 
And your's be full in this My Sacrifice. 
Remember My commandment which I spake, 
* Love one another, as I have loved you.' 
Than this no greater love hath any man. 
That he doth for his friend his life lay down. 
This I now do for you. Ye are my friends 
If ye obey My will. I call you friends ; 
The servant knoweth not what does his lord, 
But all that I have from My Father heard 
Have I made known to you. Ye chose me not, 
But I have chosen you, appointed you 
That ye should go bear fruit, and it abide. 
Had ye made choice of Me ye might depart 
At will, and. soon ye shall have cause to faint. 
But I have chosen you, and ye must serve. 
Again, I charge you, one another love ; 
So, manifest unto the world My will. 
If ye are hated of the world, ye know 
It hated Me before it hated you. 



82 THE SACRIFICE. 

The world would love his own. Out of the world 

I have you chosen : So it hateth you. 

The servant is not greater than his lord. 

If they have persecuted Me, observe, 

They will you also persecute, if they 

Have kept My word, they also will keep yours, 

But what they do to you they do to Me. 

Because they know not Him that sendeth Me 

Had I not come, and unto them declared 

His will, they had not sinned, but now they have 

Not for their sin excuse. To know His will 

And hate the spirit that would heal them quite 

Is to inflict them with that deadly sin 

Unpardonable by the Father's law. 

He hating Me, the Father also hates, 

But thus the word of David is fulfilled 

' They hated me without a cause.' Take cheer I 

For when the Comforter, whom I will send, 

Is come, which from the Father doth proceed, 

The Spirit of the Truth, He shall of Me 

Bear witness ; and ye also witness bear, 

For ye have with Me been since that first day 

When John bade you ' Behold the Lamb of God !' 

They shall you from the synagogues expel, 



GETHSKMANE. 83 

Yea cometli the hour, that whosoever 

Killeth you will think he doth God service. 

These things will they unto you do, because 

They have not known the Father nor known Me. 

But these things have I spoken unto you 

That when their hour is come ye may reflect. 

Be not ofl'ended nor desert My Ivove.* 

To Him who sent Me, now I go My way ;— 

Ye speak not, nor ask Whither goest Thou ? 

Because I have unto you these things said 

Sorrow hath filled your ht art. I speak the truth. 

Nay, be not sorrowful, that I go 

Away. It is for you expedient : 

If I go not away the Advocate 

Will not unto you come ; if I depart 

I will Him send to you. When He is come 

He will th' world, in respect of sin, convict 

Of righteousness and judgment. Of sin 

Because they knew Me not, of righteousness 

Because I to My Father go, ye see 

Me no more, of judgment, because is judged 

The prince of this world. Many things I have 

To say to you, ye cannot bear them now. 



*The Church. 



84 THE SACRIFICE). 

When He of Truth, the Spirit, comes Hell guide 

You into all truth, giving you the light. 

From Himself He shall not speak. He shall speak 

Whatsoever He shall hear, unto you 

Things to come He will declare, — list His voice ! 

He shall Me glorify, for He shall take 

Of Mine, and to you manifest My will. 

I speak not of Myself but of My God. 

All love and righteousness the Father hath, 

Therefore said I that He shall take 

Of Mine and to you manifest My will. 

A little while, and ye shall see Me not, 

Again, a little while ye shall see Me." 

Then Thomas to St. Peter, thus : (they all 

With wonder, and confused among themselves, 

Did of the import of His words make quest) 

" What saith He unto us, a little while ?" 

And Peter then : " We comprehend Him not." 

Then Jesus, with divine insight knew well 

Their thoughts, but waiting to explain, thus spake, 

" Do ye among yourselves, of that I said 

A little while, inquire } I say to you 

That ye shall weep, and shall with grief lament, 

But when ye do, the world shall then rejoice : 



GETHSEMANK. 85 

Ye shall be sorrowful, but, shall be turned 

Your sorrow into jo}^ ... 

And like the woman whom to child gives birth 

Hath sorrow at her hour, but when 'tis past, 

Because a man is born, in joy forgets ; 

So ye have sorrow now, while I depart, 

But I shall see you soon, and then your heart 

Shall 'joy, because I come to you again, 

And no one shall, of you, that joy deprive. 

Then shall ye ask Me nothing, but shall know. 

For verily I unto 5^ou now say 

That what ye ask the Father he will give 

It you in mine own name. Understanding, 

If ye ask. He'll give. Ye have not asked. 

Ask ! Ye shall receive. Your joy shall be full. 

Thus to 3^ou in proverbs have I spoken. 

The hour cometh, when I shall no more speak 

In proverbs unto you, but I shall tell 

You plainly of the Father, and myself. 

In that day ye shall ask. I need not pray 

For you. The Father loveth you, because 

Ye have loved Me, and also have believed 

I came from God. True love is symmetry. 

If ye love Me ye would like Me become, 



86 THK SACRIFICE. 

And would the P'ather's will perform. I ain 

His Son, His Will, His Word, which He would speak 

Unto the world. I come to manifest 

His nature unto man. Co-eternal 

And of His substance came I forth from God 

Into the world : Again I leave the world 

And go unto the Father. We are One." 

Then Peter to The Christ, " ho, now speakest 

Thou most plainly and not in parables speak. 

Now are we sure that Tho^ doth all things know 

And needest not that any man should ask. 

By this we now believe that Thou camest forth 

From God, and art indeed His only Son." 

" Peter, thou hast well said, on this belief 

Of Me to be the Wisdom of the God, 

I shall erect My Church, and naught shall change 

That principal for doctrines newl}^ framed. 

It shall endure, nor buried shall it be 

In time nor in philosophy of man. 

What thou hast said unlocks the mystery quite. 

Do ye believe ? It doth please Me well. 

Have patience, endure, My words remember. 

Behold, the hour doth come, yea, is now come 

When ye shall scattered be, each to his own. 



GK'rHs:eMANE. 87 

Ye shall Me leave alone, yet not alone — " 

He here did seem to meditate their state, 

If they were yet prepared to bear His word 

Which now the briny spring of grief in them 

It opened to give vent to feelings sad. 

" Nay weep not. The Father will be with Me. 

All these things I have unto you spoken 

That ye might know Me, and in Me have peace. 

While in the world ye tribulations have , 

Be of good cheer, the world I've overcome. 

I have its sin and disobedience, 

In doing of My Father's will, subdued. — 

Thou man of My heart, for My mother care 

When I am gone, e'en she, I give to thee, — 

Oh, woman ! thou crowned jewel of thy race 

How I have loved thee, and of thee was born 

Thy seed, the serpent's head indeed to bruise. 

I go : Mine hour is come, but first to prayer, 

The portion of transgressors then to share." 

They'd reached that spot, where oft' times they had held 
Retreat, and had communed of things to be, 
Gethsemane, by name, a garden fair. 
The moon did from the proud west witness still 
The scene, and night held silence, marred with dread, 



88 THE SACRIFICE. 

Or else perfection ruled in stillness grand. 

Alone He now would with His Father 'verse 

And bade Apostles all to sit them by 

While He withdrew some distance, there alone 

To pour out spirit with Eternal God. 

L/Ove spake with Love, divinely echoed each 

Request and answer zealous for that Love. 

The Human and Divine united plead 

For blessings craved in nature by the Two 

So that the Father and the Son communed 

In sympathy, and accent relative 

The purposed inclinations prophesied. 

Humanity now to be ushered back 

To its own place, the image of it's God, 

United with Divinity, besought 

The perfecting of its redemption quite. 

The glory of the Son to glorify. 

On the completion of His work destined 

And in the heart of man, His Father's grace, 

Was by the Son now eagerly implored. 

In spirit to the Father, thus the Christ : 

'* Father, I have unto my hour arrived 

When I, in this same body once prepared. 

Shall render up Myself a sacrifice. 



GETHSEMANE. 89 

In this same act pray glorify Thy Son, 

That He in it may also honor Thee. 

Vested in Him, thou hast, authority 

O'er all humanity, that He should give 

Eternal life to those thou gavest Him 

l^hat they might know Thee to be God alone , 

And of Thy nature comprehend, and I 

Who manifested Thee that Crissoned One 

Whom Thou hast sent. This have I done on earth ; 

I have accomplished that Thou gavest Me 

To do. Thy will made known, Thy Wisdom lived, 

The plan of Thy redeeming Man proclaimed. 

And now, as I withdraw Me from this world, 

O, Father, with Thine own self glorify 

Thou Me, with that same glory which We had 

Before We did the world create. Receive 

Me unto that communion, whence I came. 

Thy name have I unto the men made known. 

Which of the world thou gavest unto Me, 

Thine they were, thou gavest them to Me, 

From that same stock of Israel with Me, 

And they have kept Thy Word. Now have they known 

That whatsoever Thou hast given Me, 

All things, are of Thee. For, the words which Thou 



90 THE SACRIFICE. 

Gavest to Me have I made known to them. 

Them have they received : and, known of a truth 

That I came out from Thee, and have believed 

That Thou didst send Me forth. I pray for them ; 

Not for the world of disbelief pray I, 

For that I now lay down My life. For them 

Which Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine, 

I pray, that they maj^ strengthened be in hope. 

All Thine are Mine, and Mine are Thine ; and I 

Am glorified in them. They witness forth 

The work that I have done within their souls. 

No more am I now in the world, but these, 

Father, are in the world : 1 come to Thee. 

Holy Father, keep thou in Thy nature 

Those whom Thou hast given Me, that they be. 

As we are, One, While with them in the world 

Those that Thou gavest Me I guarded well 

And kept them in Thy sphere of love, none lost. 

Save he whom scripture did predict should fall,* 

And I did tell them so when many leftt 

Me for unbelief, His bishopric lost,t 

Another shall be chosen in his place. 

The world has hated them, for they, as 



*Psalm cix. 8, fSt. John vi. 70. $Acts i. 



gethsemane:. 91 

Are not of the world. I pray not that Thou 

Should'st take them from the world, but thou'dst keep 

Them from the Evil-one— Unrighteousness. 

Sanctify them in Thy truth. Thy Word is Truth. 

As Thou sent'st Me, I also have sent them 

Into the world, convincing it of sin. 

I for their sakes Myself do sanctify 

That they might too be sanctified in truth. 

Nor do I pray for these alone. I pray 

For them also, which after these on Me, 

Shall through their word, believe, that all be one ; 

As Thou in Me, and I in Thee, so they 

O, Father, also may be one in Us ; 

That the world by their example may believe 

That Thou hast sent Me and that We are one ; 

Hast love'd them as Thou hast love'd Me. 

For this, the glory which Thou gavest Me 

Have given I to them. Father, I come. 

I will that they whom Thou hast given Me 

Also be with Me where I am ; that they 

My glory, which Thou gavest Me, may behold. " 

For Thou didst love Me e'er the world began. 

O, Father, Thou of Righteousness, the world 

Hath not known Thee. I have known Thee. 



92 THE SACRIFICE. 

Thou hast Th^^self revealed through Me, and these 

Thy servants, have known that Thou hast sent Me. 

And unto them I have Thy name declared, 

And will declare it by My Sacrifice, 

And through My spirit working still in them ; 

That in them that same love, wherewith Thou hast 

Loved Me, may fix'd be, and in them I." 

He paused in pra3'er. With human nature frail 

He longed for human sympathy. Unlike 

The hopeless slaves, who unto sentenced death 

With reckless minds advance. He faced His death, 

His willing doom, with broken heart and full 

Of grief. He longed for some to pity Him,* 

And gentl}^ sought this aid. He rising wept, 

Then unto His Apostles did return, 

And taketh with Him Peter, James and John. 

There saw they Him, with head dejected, stand 

Some distance from the rest, in dreamlike pose, 

And sorrowful exceedingly. Alone 

He'd be and with His Father still commune ; 

In order of Melchizedeck, high-priest, 

To sacrifice for sins of this whole world. 

" My soul is sore excessive, unto death. 



*Psalm LXix. 20. 



GETHSEMANE. 93 

Abide ye here, and watch, while I go pray 

Lest I be interrupted in Mine hour." 

Thus He. A little forward went He then, 

And they stood motionless, in dread and fear, 

His three well tried and early followers, 

Beholding with amazement His lone form 

As He proceeded to His agony. 

Stillness hovered round with dread, impatient 

Of this telling hour of pain. Th' shade v/as dense, 

And through the foliage the moonbeams pierced, 

Thus playing on the sward, made all appear 

Like weird habitations where the owl 

With doleful note awakes in childhood's mind 

Imagination with her ghastly sprights. 

The birds slept softly on the hidden limbs 

Of olive bush The breeze played not that night. 

Nor dared to moan, while He by suffering 

Still learned obedience. All nature seemed 

In fast astonishment ; and fain would pause 

And do obeisance to His praying soul. 

He fell to ground and in His clasped 

Hands buried deep His face ; in smothered voice 

And accent mournful uttered thus in word : 

" O, My Father, if it be possible 



94 THE SACRIFICE. 

lyct this hour pass away, remove this cup. 
All things are possible. Nevertheless, 
Not as I will, but as Thou wilt, be done." 
Now Satan who had with the first man gained 
The mastery. Him for a season left, 
Returned again, and in Gethsemane, 
As on the Mount, would weaken human will. 
But one of those Angelic Ministers* 
That favored Lot, and are sent forth for them, 
To minister, who shall be heirs of grace, 
And to protect the little ones on earth, 
And them deliver who doth fear the Lord, 
Appeared to Him to strengthen Him in trial. 
" Thou foremost Heir of Thy eternal God, 
Bear bravely up and to thy will divine 
Thy human nature hold in close subjection, 
For I and that same myriad, the host 
That do to heaven and to heaven's God 
Our service tend, shall minister to Thee. 
Nor, shall Thy foot a pebble touch to harm 
Thee bodily. Son of Humanity 
Our presence heed, and bear Thee firmly up." 
" But for Humanity and for their sins, 

*Hebrews i. 14. 



GETHSEMANIC. 95 

Of generations past and time to come, 

For the temptation of their Parent first, 

My heart is burdened heavily with woe. 

My Sacrifice is not mere death. To die 

Were sweet, but deadlier to comprehend 

The mystery of wordly sin ; to taste 

That cup of poisoned concupisence with lips 

Of Innocence, exceedingly doth pass 

The dissociation of mere natural ties, 

And witness to the possibilities 

Of mortal sin, of gross ingratitude 

Most potent, disappointment to the mind — " 

'' Be comforted with thoughts of good, maintained.'* 

*' It is, for love to have but hatred gained, 

To see mankind despise the greatest good, 

To know indeed the weakness of that race 

And furnish them with that they least desire. 

This grieves. My soul sinks now in agony. 

It feels the pangs that need's must low'r now 

Upon the soul of universal man." 

He groaning, groveled in the dust, with dread 

Of further pain, more direful than that past. 

The sweat of torture burst forth from His pores 

And stood upon His brow as beads of blood. 



96 THE SACRIFICE. 

He suffered much : The Sinless for all sin ; 

And as we love we suffer, He loved most. 

His grief was still — but lightened with some hand 

Of kindly providence, so that He thought 

Of those most near His side, as if in hope 

From them some comfort gain in this dread spell, 

The three of all to be relied upon. 

Arising, stiffened by the fleshly strain, 

His sinews quivered with their pressure born 

And thus with weary steps, with struggling, came 

And, sleeping, found his three disciples, sound.' 

Much grief had numbed their spirits into rest. 

He gazed on them with pity well expressed : 

** Alas ! Humanity, so frail and weak. — " 

Then to that one, who, boastful of his faith 

Desired to follow Him e'en unto death, 

'' Simon, sleepest thou ? Could'st not watch one hour ? 

Then how canst thou endure, that weighty hour 

TVhen that the tempter comes to thee ? Nay watch 

And to the Father faithfully make prayer 

That not unto temptation cometh ye. 

Thou wouldst indeed bear with Me pain. I find 

Thy spirit willing but thy flesh is weak. 

Mark then, subdue thy flesh and let thy will 



GETHSEMANE. 97 

Be uppermost, but strengthened through thy L^ord." 

Touched by rebuke they answered not in word 

But silent kept, still nodding in their sleep, 

Unable to arouse and recognize 

The fear and peril them did circumvent. 

He raised His eyes ; and, walking as if by 

Some power directed, supernatural, 

He found His way through shade of foliage 

Quite unobservent of uncertain step 

'Till He had well returned to that same spot 

Where grief poured out itself in prayer sublime. 

Again with quiv'ring lip and muffled voice 

He sobbed in plaintive tone, yet no complaint, 

His willingness to suffer if't must be. 

^' Oh ! Oh ! My Father. If this cannot pass 

From Me except I drink, Thy will be done." 

His spirit sank in silence, full of thought. 

As when our grief is deepest, not in word 

Nor look we signify, nor gesture wild. 

But give expression in a trancelike mood, 

So He, benumbed in bitterness and steeped, 

I^ay mute and hush, in deathlike state of woe. 

The climax of His agony He'd reached, 

Thus subject to the Father's will, He willed 



98 THE SACRIFICE. 

That will hz done. The quiver of the flesh. 

Except, a moment found Him motionless. 

Iq spirit now and in reality 

He had declared Himself the conqueror 

Of Sin, ; and, of all human instinct L/ord. 

Self-preservation found in Him a will 

Submitting it to passion far more grand. 

Then once again in armor of repose. 

With step majestical, with peace resumed, 

Returned He from that conqiiest hardly won. 

To iind them sleeping, veiled with leaden weight 

Their eyes, and with reminder gently said : 

(His words addressed now more to John and James> 

" And ye would drink that cup that I drink of? 

In willingness ye'r able, not in strength." 

Again, He left them. For the third time went , 

He forth, and Satan three times foiled as on 

The Mount of tempting, he would there His mind 

Divert from purpose grand to temp'ral power. 

Is now dejected in his vain attempts. 

This time the Christ, as when a trial is past 

And of the two extremes decision made, 

Resolved to bear the agony of frame. 

With agony of mind compared, most light ; 



GSTHSEMANS. 99 

And, to His Father, thus desiring, prayed : 

" Father ! Thy will be done. I come to Thee." 

With that same calm which did possess Him first 

When He on Olivet arrived and prayed, 

Now prayed He as if more near the Father, 

Or'd passed, in thought, the suffering to come. 

The third time came He back, and this the last. 

For now the glimmer of the lights, though faint. 

Were in the distance seen, that signaled forth 

The deep damnation of a sinfnl mob, 

And rude disturbance of their slumbers deep 

Who lay before Him now, not cognizant 

Of Him, the presence of the Man-Divine. 

While saints do sleep, foul Satan plots his course, 

The traitor works his best while angels rest. 

So now the plot of Judas waxed its course ; 

While thus Apostles sleeping, lay serene. 

That hound and his blood thirsty followers, 

Impatient for their prey, their foul work wrought. 

Their watch now past, their sleep He'd not disturb. 

But would in softest voice bid them repose. 

" Sleep on now. take your rest," The Saviour said, 

And rested for a thought* in silent pose 

*A thought's time. 



lOO THE SACRIFICE. 

Until conspirators and traitor, steeped 
In direful cruelty made their descent 
To Kedron's banks, and hidden from the view. 
" Behold the hour at hand. The Son of Man 
Into the hands of sinners is betrayed." 
Triumphantly He stood, a monarch true, 
Of sin and all defects in human kind, 
The Son of Man, and too the Son of God. 
Alas ! poor mortals, still in substance weak : 
From sleep, some startled, to observe Him there, 
With guilty minds, looked up as if for grace. 
Thus man will slumber ; 'neath the torch of woe 
And little heed their Saviour's gentle voice. 
They answered not ; nor, words of utterance 
Found they in aid their pardon to implore, 
Then He : prepared to meet what come that may, 
*' Arise ye, let us be going : behold. 
He that betrayeth me is now at hand." 
They then arose and moved them to that group 
That at the ent'rance of the garden stayed. 
And He foremost, a little in advance. 
Awaited now approach of enemy. 

While in the Garden Jesus prayed, and, slept 



GETHSEMANK. lOI 

The others of the twelve, that Judas went 

In search of Caiaphas ; those relative 

To that his deed also with him he found. 

The palace of the high-priest on that night 

In whispering silence, filled to dome with awe, 

Witnessed conspiracy unequaled quite 

In memory of man before conceived. 

Conspiracy most vile and with the world 

Disjointed and in rankness foul, engulfed. 

Conspiracy against the Innocent 

The Sinless, and of Righteousness the God ; 

Black-rooted in the dregs of low contempt 

And villainous intrigue, in envy wrapped 

As in the shroud of hissing death, poisoned 

By the fangs of w^ell earned rebuke, distrust, 

And treacherous attempt. There Caiaphas, 

The captain of the cohort, Annas, all, 

Were late assembled waiting Judas' time. 

And he now in their midst their plans began 

To brew^ Then Caiaphas to this extent : 

" Gentlemen, all. The gracious Pilate, grants 

Us leave in this your service to employ. 

Or we ourself, without the aid of Rome 

W^ould Him possess this night in cords most safe. 



I02 THE SACRIFICE. 

But lest the people, at our presence roused 

In questioning of what to hap' might move 

A tumult 'gainst the power which He disdains, 

We thought it meet, to let Rome represent 

Her action with us in this dread affair 

So that his rustic followers might know 

That not our power alone, but Rome to heed. 

Then go you forth, bearing your arms, your spears 

And staves. Take lanterns lest the fox in move, 

Most cunning, quite avoid your near approach 

And hide Him neath the canopj^ of night." 

" And worthy partners in this mortal cause," 

Spake Annas, graced in flattery, " yourselves 

Are equal with us in the honors gained. — 

And Judas, let me call you friend, thou son 

Of this our southern clime, not like the rest. 

By what shall He be known to these our men ?" 

" Oft' have I kissed, if not in flattery. 

His cheek, nor fained to love him much, with arms 

Around Him twined. By this shall know Him well 

Thy servants, when I kiss Him, and shall hail 

Him Master, He whom I shall kiss be He." 

" Well thought of noble father. Thus our plans, 

If each man holds his trust, shall serve us well." 



GETHSJ5MANK. I03 

This Caiaphas, and then the chiliarch, 
" To catch the mother and her young go free 
Would be to well insure her progeny, 
Which would in after days, like smouldering coals 
Burst out in flame anew. Shall none the rest, 
Those constant at His heels, be captured too ?" 
^' My potent counselor," so, Caiaphas, 
" We will indeed our object poorly gain 
If we quench not the full extent of flame 
Which from His mind hath kindled rubbish much." 
Then Nicodemus, fair, with intents pure, 
" But rubbish let us think them until His trial 
And we learn more of His intents and plans, 
jQ;y'else we shall appear in public eye 
More than our office shall permit in act." 
Annas then : " Well moved my worthy brother, 
Not one of them, unless they do oppose 
You in your craft, shall then be touched, save He, 
Their L/cader. They, like Judas, now of us, 
Shall look with loathing eye upon themselves 
Duped so by rebel's trick, when they shall learn 
Ivike he, iheir shrewd deceiver led them on 
To baffled hopes, and, too, their would-be king 
Who, the Messiah feigned Himself to be. 



I04 THE SACRIFICE. 

Could not resist the power of Roman rule." 

" Well thought upon," so spake the chiliarch 

" But are we sure the place where He'll be found ?" 

" I as your guide to you will this disclose," 

Brake Judas in. " I know the place He haunts." 

Then Annas to the band, " Pray, look you friends 

The mystic dawn doth with the moon contrive 

Which shall hold first in service to our world, 

And soon the populace who now augment 

Our walls will be astir and note our course. 

Dispatch we then our business at this point. 

Be fervent in your service to our seat 

And constant to the cause we undertake. 

W^ith Him consent ye not to words, lest strength 

Of argument you from 3'our purpose swerve. 

I shall await you patiently, with praise. 

And will reward you for j^our efforts here." 

" To serve you quite completes our purposed ends," 

Said Judas, as he led the fatal way 

Which brought him later to his dire remorse. 

With expedition they to Mark's house went 

Expecting there to take, with cherished hope, 

The God-Man unaware. But foiled in this 

In angry pace, pursued Him to the spot 



GETHSEMANE. 105 

Where He and His most like' were to be found. 

They reached the place, and entrance did demand. 

They searched the house, and now defamed that room 

Made sacred by that Institution* there. 

The clanking of their swords, the husky voice 

Of Roman soldiery, the skulking forms 

Who something feared, lest he should slip their grasp 

As when the mob would from the cliff Him dash 

But failed because of unforseen escape. 

Judas : " Our trap was set. It He has sprung ; 

We must pursue Him then with quickest step 

To Mount of Olives. If we do this night 

The purpose of our act fail to make good 

Our cause is up and we misunderstood." 

They left the house and as they vollied forth 
St. Mark took up the sheet that wrapped him bout, 
• And followed, quick of foot, bewildered much, 
Alarmed, perplexed to note that Judas led 
These unexpected marauders of night. 
He : " That which thou hast to do, do quickly !' 
Were they not His words ? So He prophesied, 
This night should Peter e'en deny Him thrice. 
All is not well. The foul glimmer of thought 



* 1 he Lord's Supper. 



I06 THE SACRIFICE. 

Besets my brain with comprehensions gross. 
I'll follow, and, if chance shall favor me, 
Inquire of Judas, what this tumult means. 
If't be, as angry thoughts disturb my mind 
With dread suspicions and predictions dark, 
I'll hence and note the Christ of their foul play." 
He followed closely on, but with the rest 
Who wakened from their sleep by noise in streets 
And ushered forth in quest of what amiss, 
Was checked in strong endeavor, as that he. 
Compelled to keep the rear, went tardy on. 
All was excitement on that dreadful night 
And Pilate's wife whom Pilate had advised 
Of his consent, that from Antonio 
A tribune and his charge He'd furnished them 
For His arrest, dreamed dreams most hideous. 

They now had reached the spot where Jesus stood 
In readiness to welcome them to their 
Appointed crime. The moon looked on with awe, 
Night stilled, to listen what perchance would fall 
Prom those fair lips of His, who now, of times 
The uppermost to show resistance quick 
And overthrow the doctrine He had taught, 
^Stood on the verge of persecution dire. 



GETHSEMANE. I07 

Thus spake He, in voice majestic, holding 

In reserve a strength surpassing human : 

" Whom seek ye ?" 

Then answered they, the priests and servants all, 

Not thinking Him the Christ, but one who stood 

Perhaps in readiness to join their throng. 

As evil minds think all men of their like, 

And sentenced forth in one united voice : 

"Jesus of Nazareth." 

" I am He." 

They, shocked, surprised at voice, moved with some dread, 

Amazed at soul so grand, composure awed, 

Acknowledging a power of which they'd heard 

And partly did believe Him to possess ; 

And fearing lest He would by it Himself 

Protect and them afflict, pressed further back 

And many tripped to ground. Then He again: 

" Whom seek ye ? " 

''Jesus of Nazareth," with fainter voice. 

" That I am He, I have made known to you, 

Therefore if Me ye seek, let these go free." 

Command was this, perhaps, more than request, 
That, that, in this might be fulfilled. He spake, 
' Of them thou gavest me none have I lost.' 



Io8 THE SACRIFICE. 

Then Judas, Satan ruling still, in hope, 

His Master to deceive ; '• Hail, Master ! " cried, 

" Friends are these, whom, to learn of thee, I bring." 

And feigning love, embraced Him, and did kiss. 

" Comrad,* the crime for which thou'rt come " — 

At this, before the sentence was complete, 

The enemy with swords and staves approached, 

Ivaid hold on Him and bound with cords His hands. 

Apostles undeceived, resistance bold 

Did proffer. Impetuous Peter then, 

With sword now drawn; " Lord, shall we use the sword ? " 

And not awaiting answer quickly smote 

The high-priest's servant, striking off his ear. 

" Put up again thy sword into his place. 

They that take the sword shall by it perish. 

Thinkest thou I my Father cannot now 

Beseech, and He will give me presently 

More than the power of angel legions twelve ? 

But how shall then the scriptures be fulfilled, 

That there must be the sacrifice for sin ? 

Shall I not drink the cup my Father gives ? " 

Then to the servant, Malchus : " Loose my hands. 

Suffer thus far ye." His ear He touched ; 



*St. Matthew xxvi. .50. etaipe not cpiXe. 



GETHSEMANE. 109 

And, with balm of grace divine, 'twas made whole. 
Then to the multitude, " Are ye come out 
As 'gainst a thief, with swords and staves to take 
Me who did daily in your temple teach ? 
Then ye no hand stretched forth opposing me. 
But this is your hour; and, of darkness, power. 
'Tis well. By this the scriptures are fulfilled. 
They take me in their pits,* and as the king 
They carry me to judgment,! they spread their net." t 
All now was up. And His disciples foiled 
In their desire to fight for Him, with fear 
Of their destruction, Him, forsook and fled. 
Now Jesus, spake no more, but willingly 
Was led by them to Caiaphas, their chief, ' 

While on their way, as if for one word more, 
St. Mark, in spite of sore resistance, pressed 
Through crowd, his way, excited, to the Christ, 
As if by chance to free Him from their power, 
But seeing well the uselessness of hope 
In circumstances quite beyond ^Control, 
Thus spake his will: " I would have forewarned thee, 
But all men are not masters of their time," — 
Now broken off in speech by angry mob 
♦Lamentations iv. 20, tJer. lii. 9. XEv. xix. 8. 



no THE SACRIFICE. 

Most jealous of their prey, when they laid hold, 
Left in their hands his linen sheet, and fled. 
Thus Jesus quite alone, disciples gone, 
Save Judas, who, looked sore in His fair eye. 
Was dragged along His way to judgment cruel. 



TH:e TRIAI,. Ill 



CANTO Y. 



THE TRIAL, 



The dread night waned, but only to approach 
A day more direful in gross circumstance. 
The "court" in smooth hypocrisy had met, 
Like deadly enemies, at other times 
Do meet in warmest friendship when to spend 
Their converged hatred in some common grudge. 
With Annas at their head and Caiaphas 
Not tardy in his place ; the elders, priests, 
All, ready to, in judgment, so pronounce 
The sentence by them now determined on.* 
And, so, in busy keeping to convene. 
The great sanhedrin wended that their way, 



*I make no account of our Lord's appearing before Annas, pri- 
vately, as Annas may have been in the same place with Caiaphas^ 
and interviewed Jesus personally ; and, if at his own palace, no 
account is given of what transpired. 



112 THK SACRIFICE. 

And Jesus stood in waiting for The Trial, 
His guards, the officers of court, all there 
Inside a room which looked down on the court. 

Two men had, in the glimmer of the moon. 
Kept close apace with Jesus and the mob 
Which, mocking and with jeering taunts led on 
Through streets and alley-way to palace grand, 
'Twas Peter, anxious for his Lord, and John, 
Both deep concerned in what might chance to Him. 
No words between the two did pass ; awe ruled 
Them in their course, and dread made dumb, 
Until they saw the portals close and all 
Hid from their view. Then Peter, thus, to John : 
" Good brother, what befalls ? " 
" I know the high-priest, and have frequent been 
In his abode. The maid who tends the gate 
Will recognize and grant me entrance there. 
You as my friend shall thither go with me ; 
And, we, as common with conspirators. 
Together, what may chance, shall well behold." 
" By thy good council I shall act, and shall 
Conceal myself from their attention, lest 
They recognize in me His country's blood." 
A signal opened wide to them the gate 



THE TRIAI,. 113 

And they into that open court did pass 
Which centered in the house of Caiaphas. 
The portress, recognized St. John, but knew 
Not Peter, and, as fell the glare of lamp 
Upon his face, she, to herself, exclaimed, 
"" Is this one not of Galilee ? Methinks 
I have him, even with this Jesus, seen ! " 
The charr'd fire, in blue blaze lit the court ; 
And Peter stood in restlessness thereby. 
As if, with servants all, himself to warm. 
Then came the maiden, and, with eyes well fixed 
And curious to know if what she thought 
Were true, St. Peter, questioned to the point: 
"*' Art thou not also one of this man's friends ? " 
Then Peter, well perplexed, a moment held, 
And in her face with query eye did gaze. 
^' I understand thee not. I know Him not." 
She went her way, and Peter changed his place, 
He sat him down, arose again, he walked, 
Thus much annoyed, by questions so direct. 
Then to him came another maid and said 
To those around: " This man is one of them." 
And Peter, moved, turned quickly 'bout, as if 
Annoyed to be so reckoned with the Christ, 



114 THE SACRIFICE. 

In shortened tone replied, "Nay, I am not." 
Again the maid with proof determined on : 
" Surely thou art one, thy speech betrays thee." 
Then Malchus, him whom Jesus had restored, 
" Friends, I recognize this man. Him I saw 
While in the garden. He it was who cut 
From me an ear, and this same Jesus healed." 
Then Peter : " Thou art deceived, I know not 
This man of whom you speak. Nor, am I His." 
Thus three times he attempted them to foil 
In their mistrust, and to avoid their charge. 
And now in silence all stood waiting by. 
The still night air was then immediate 
Conveyor of the few marked sounds o'night. 
The house-bird's chirp, the insect's shrilly cry, 
As dawn began them to arouse from rest, 
Sent far their cheered accent of wakefulness, 
And Somnus, soon to be disturbed from peace 
Enjoyed in's mother's lap, began to glean. 
The echoes of some distant cavern 
Then caused by slightest ripple in the Leathe ; 
And so, was, too, conveyed the voice of cock 
From Fort Antonio, not distant off, 
Which to the ear of Peter seemed to say : 

4 



THE TRIAI,. 115 

' Before the cock crows twice '—Much startled now 

He raised his head and at a glance saw Christ, 

Who turned Him slowly 'bout, with downcast eye 

And tear-stained cheek, traced still in garden dust. 

With countenance quite sorrowful and brows 

Bedecked with pity for the weak, beheld 

The face of that apostle, whom He told 

He would deny him thrice. Their glance revealed 

The thought they interchanged ; and Peter sad. 

With dread remembrance of that Christ had said, 

With flowing eye, and bowels with gnawing sense. 

From that sad scene of woe himself withdrew 

And bitterly bewept him of his fault. 

How many Peters since that time have failed 

To seal their vows complete, but have denied 

Their Lord, three times ? nay more, and thirty-three. 

Then blame him not, nor at his weakness scoff, 

Lest Pharisaic in thy spirit thou 

Fail to, that sense of true contrition, have 

And from the temple go down much condemned. 

And in thine own strength trust thee not too much. 

But ever note the warning once bestowed 

Upon Apostle, who, in conflict tried. 

Found self most weak, and tempted, fell to sin. 



Il6 THE SACRIFICE. 

Watch ye, therefore, and pray, lest ye do fall 
Into temptation and be self-betrayed. 

The high-priest now intent upon some charge 
With which to sentence Jesus unto death, 
Besought Him privately, that he might call 
Some answer forth ; the which, perverted, would 
Convict Him of a crime. New in his power , 
Jesus was looked upon with dull contempt. 
" Why hast thou led about the streets, and too. 
Throughout all Israel this mobile herd? 
If for some foul intent or, traitor like, 
To move the people 'gainst our persons aught ; 
Or to dispute with Rome her power o'er us. 
Pray speak ; and, of thy doctrine. That Thou 
Taught'st the people the foolishness of forms, 
(I pardon thee to prate of forms extreme). 
So have I heard of Thee, and, of our laws. 
And even Moses, thou hast failed to teach 
As the supreme of all the world. And thou 
Hast e'en thyself proclaimed to be God's son ; 
And, truly, did but few days past, permit 
The children and they that followed thee, to cry 
' Hosanna to the son of David." Thou 
The son of David ! aye. Messiah, thou.'' 



THE TRIAI,. 117 

Ha, ha, ha, now come : To thyself be good. 

Admit, and I shall shield thee in this trial. — 

Nay, answerest not ? My word has weight. 

What, pray thee, meanest thou by being king ? 

What is thy kingdom ?— Nay ? Why hast thou not 

Thyself in public and in form proclaimed 

Thee true Messiah, our expected king? 

With pomp and dignity thou should'st have come, 

And with the sword made bold to conquer all." 

The Christ His head then raised, and, with an eye 

Of pity for the ignorance so full 

That did assert itself in priestly form ; 

And too, with thought of what should be, replied 

With mellow voice, and eyes still fixed on him, 

His bold accuser : " Openly, I spake 

Unto the world , and in the synagogue 

And temple taught, where always Jews resort ; 

So, I have manifested all the word, 

No part kept secret. Man must now be judged. 

Why askest thou me this ? My time has come. 

Ask them which me have heard, what I have said. 

Behold, they understand ? IvCarn thou of them." - 

At this the officer, with palm of hand, 

Smote Jesus on the cheek, and raging said : 



Il8 THE SACRIFICE. 

" Answerest thou the high-priest so? " 
Then Jesus, with compassion for the weak : 
^' Friend, do thyself no harm. Thou servest though. 
If I have evil spoken, witness bear ; 
If well, what cause hast thou to smite me thus ? " 
The high-priest then : " We shall await the trial." 
Now Jesus who with power had others healed 
And had the dead set free from tomb, Himself 
Defended not. He came to die for man. 
The first gray penciling of early dawn 
Now graced the eastern sky, streaked there with cloud. 
Was busy she that held her post at gate. 
For footsteps, hasty, now were heard along 
The corridors of palace whereunto 
The leading priests, the elders, sanhedrists 
Were summoned hastily there to convene. 
And Jewish law and order be infringed. 
With testimony false. And Jesus led 
They there and stoo4 Him in their midst, guarded 
By servants to the priestly cast. Around 
Did sit the council all. The center place 
By Caiaphas was occupied. The trial 
Begun, they waxed most strong a cause to find 
To sentence Him to death. False witness sought, 



the; triai,. 119 

Eut contradiction quite undid their part, 

Until there came two witnesses who said 

Most near His words, the council satisfied. 

Thus witnessed first to that He said, " I will 

This sanctuary made by hands destroy — 

And will without hands one in three days build. 

" What ? " cried a priest, this temple will pull down 

Which we have consecrated to our God ? 

Blasphemy, bold intrusion, — guard Him well. 

In this He does Himself an enemy, 

Not with us alone, but God, declare." 

'' 'Tis even so," re-echoed voice to voice. 

The other claimed He said not that He would. 

And so, discordant proved the witnesses. 

The trial grew tedious, and Caiaphas 

At last, provoked at silence of the Christ, 

In rage rose from his seat, addressed Him thus : 

^' Answerest thou nothing ? What witnesseth these 

Against thee? Be it false or true? Nay, speak." 

The^moment's expectation proved them crossed, 

For statue like and, in noble bearing, 

Jesus stood, graced in silence, held His peace. 

Again cried Caiaphas in lowered tone. 

Revengeful accent and prolonged voice : 



I20 THE SACRIFICE. 

" Now, I adjure Thee by the living God, 

Art thou indeed the Christ, the Son of God ?" 

Then Jesus, after silence, break from pause : 

" If I do tell you, ye will not believe ; 

And if I also ask, will not answer. 

But, thou hast said, and ye shall surely see 

The Son of Universal Man, as I 

Have manifested Him, his archetype, 

As like, I manifested well the will 

Of God unto you all, ye shall Him see 

Henceforth, the foremost man of all His race 

And honored next to God in righteousness. 

He in the nebula of Heaven's sphere 

And clothed in love divine shall come with power, 

Dwelling in each individual heart; 

Thus, man raise up into his former self.""* 

Confused and vexed was Caiaphas at this ; 

And failing well His words to comprehend, 

Was more provoked ; and, waxing strong in ire. 

Threw back his linen clothes, with jesture fierce, 

And stamping foot upon the floor, thus spake : 

'' He hath spoken blasphemy. What further 

*For the text used in the Gospel see Dan. vii. 13. Our Lord here 
used almost the very words, that might be seen in Him their interpret- 
ation. 



THE TRIAI,. ^21 

Need we then of witnesses ? Ye have heard 

His blasphem_v. What think ye now of Him ? " 

" Guilty of death," responded voices, all. 

" And so say I," so Caiaphas returned. 

At this, the vulgar ones Vv'ho served their priests 

And heard him spoken of as prophet, much, 

Did spit upon His face, and buffeted ; 

And, blinding well His eyes, did smite Him hard. 

Then, jeering, said : '' Thou Christ, but prophecy, 

Who struck thee then ? " Another strikes, '' Who, now ? 

Like cowardly curs, they fell upon their prey 

Which seemed Vv-ell held in bay. 

Then Judas, who vnth flow^lng eye looked on 
And noted well each movement in the Christ, 
Each priestly word did heed, each act observed. 
Soul-stricken with his guilt, came tardy off 
From foul intents and plot most direful laid 
And did himself with reason realize 
And comprehended now his vain mistake 
When late to recompense for weighty crime. 
His flattering kiss had sealed his flattering lips 
But well in thought he to himself thus spake : 
" The Christ betra3-ed, what serves me now for gain? 
As like a man who does impatient sit 



122 THE SACRIFICE. 

When sunshine cheers the country 'round about, 

Who eager for some rain when brightest ray 

Illumines the very soul with harvest hope ; 

Who, when his storm is come lays cursing by 

To see his pastures beaten to the ground. 

So I, dissatisfied with this man's love, 

Have brought upon my lot the saddest state. 

The fork'd lightning of my discontent 

Doth strike with sharpest pangs my weakened heart 

Till in the shuck hope's milk dries morbid up 

And dread remorse doth sear my very brain. 

I have betrayed His blood, so innocent 

That Heaven's joys to it, obeisance do 

And hell with dread of virtue unsurpassed 

Shrieks loud, with cursing lip, but, faltering, fails 

To conquer what he dare not look upon. 

Oh ! now lays curs'd seven times my soul 

With charges, spent the more, do increase gain ; 

And my void lamentation sits dethroned 

Beneath the sable cloud of dread despair. 

What hope, what succor, what forgivenness stays 

For me, the object of all hate ; to them 

That love my sin, their grinning scorn, and sport, 

While Heaven's fair faced angels pity not 



THE TRIAI,. 123 

Nor dain to intercede in my behalf. 

Curs'd, thrice curs'd they who tempted me, 

Thrice curs'd be my heart, which, tempteJ, sinned. 

No ! no ! het me not add more to my stain 

By sinning in desire for further woe 

On them, the enemies of righteousness : 

For, guilty, I, who would His mercy crave, 

Should rather pray for their deliverence. 

I shall the price of his betrayal quick 

Unto the priests in temple there restore 

Where it was given me. The price ! the price ! 

Nor soul, nor all the world if forfeit made 

Could well atone for His most precious blood. 

But what remains for me, that let me do. 

And I, His further trial, shall see it through." 

Oh, go thou to the Christ, not unto them 
Who helped thee sin. Of Him forgivenness plead, 
Who suffers from thy wicked hand which pierced 
-With sharp ingratitude his soul of love : 
Now pierce it with thy prayers ; and though of all 
Thou hast the greater sinned I trow He will 
With healing balm of peace thy pardon grant. — 
But not so now. He unto priests made way 
And offered to return the silver crude. 



124 ^I^^ SACRIFICE. 

" I have much sinned, in that I have betrayed 
The innocent blood." Thus cried he. Then they, 
With heartless word, discomfiting in tone : 
" What matters that to us, see thou to that." 
Then at their feet he did the pieces cast, 
W^hich they took up, and after bought that field 
Which was in Hebrew, Aceldama,* called, 
Like beaten cur, with head downcast and eyes 
On ground well fixed, he would avoid that light 
Which 'bout the Christ did shine, but seen too late 
And, weakened in His pace he struggled on 
As one denied by God and man, friendless 
And unobserved in throng, life's interest lost, 
A flatterer quite flattered in his fault. 

Stratocles, centurian, a Grecian 
Stationed in Jerusalem with forces 
To give protection to officials there, 
Appointed by the Emperor himself. 
And independent quite of Jewry's rule, 
That dreadful morning from his dreams awoke, 
And much disturbed with turmoil in the street, 
Did sally forth in quest of actions strange. 
Then Euclides, his brother in degree, 



*Field of blood. 



THE TRIAI.. 125 

Both Greeks by birth but now of Roman sway, 

With hasty step each other met and stayed. ' 

Thus Euclides : " Good brother, He whom we 

The other night did hold in high esteem, 

With whom we talked and much at His good words 

Perplexed, in wisdom and in truth supreme, 

Does now^ before the high-priest stand dondemned." 

'* No ! Upon what charge ? " 

" Of blasphemy.— They cry : ' Let Him taste death ! ' " 

^' Now, Euclides, my nerves contract, and blood 

That has some thirty years made its bold course 

Through channels of this wiry form", beats hard; 

My mind doth wax in His behalf, convinced, 

It stands, of some disjointed action bold. 

No man e'er this did speak as this man spake. 

He told us things beyond the grace of man." 

" True, Stratocles,— and prophesied His death" — 

" Aye, but not by Jewish rite." 

" Nor Roman, either, so I hope. But they 

Unto the governor have led Him bound. 

With arguments most potent, for His trial." 

" We'll go, and so advise to spare this man. 

And if it be by might or vested right 

This man shall by my hand His freedom gain." 



126 THE SACRIFICE. 

*' But, shall we not the people sound, advise 

Of this ill hour ? Perchance they who did cry 

The other morn His favor through the streets 

Will now arise and give Him strong defense." 

"I fear them much. Their coward lips do speak 

The sanction of their priest, and now do halt 

And hesitate to serve their dread or love. 

Ever note, good Euclides, the rabble 

Serve in favor of the hour, when 'tis past 

The conqueror is proudly graced \)y those 

Who fought t'opose him while in weakness clothed. 

The stronger channel bears their favor on. 

And these same Jews who have proclaimed Him King 

Will, when they see Him bound, denounce their faith, 

And leave Him subject to opposing power. 

" I hold some hope. Mankind is more than beast, 

Which, when that his fellow afflicted lay, 

Gordes him to death, and spurns him for his fall. 

I'll go and move them, if I may, with hope 

In rescuing the persecuted Christ," 

" And I shall unto Pilate go with words 

Bespeaking that He said, His mission here ; 

And, if by chance I may his wife's hand gain 

In this affair, his sentence shall speak fare." 



THE TRIAL. 127 

"Well thus determined on. No time left us. 
We'll to our duties quick. Then let's away, 
And strive to turn the angry tide o' day." 

The sun shone clear about the hour of six.* 
Save one small cloud now set in western sphere, 
The sky around, unchecked, observed the scene 
When issuing from the high-priest's palace 
Went forth the Saviour, Annas, Caiaphas, 
Judas, John, the guards and servants many. 
All headed toward Antonia, to gain 
Commands according to the Roman law 
To put our Lord to death. Not by their own 
Dared they make good the sentence they proclaimed. 
The Christ in peasant clothes, His hands well bound, 
About His fair neck rasping rope hung down. 
By which they led Him on most criminal like 
To that same Pilate, who had years before 
Insulted, put to death offending Jews, 
Till now, their greatest enemy, to be 
Their favoring friend. In Herod's palace 
And in judgment hall they led our Jesus. 
The vulgar people of the streets swelled wide 
The taunting throng, and all cried vengeance on 

♦According to our reckoning from midnight. 



128 THE SACRIFICE. 

The Innocent. Contagious grew the cry. 

In one hour more they had the valley spanned 

Of the Tyropoeon. Before the Imll 

Stood Pilate, waiting, roused from morning nap. 

They would not enter there. No, they, so bold 

To seek the death of God's most perfect Son, 

Declined to enter lest they be unclean 

And fail to eat the passover, the lamb 

Slain for that rite, but dared to sla}^ the Lamb 

Of God, and cause Him suffer the world's sin. 

Then Pilate, with some condescension went. 

Most haughty at their superstition gross. 

When he beheld the Christ in Judgment Hall, 

In meekness clad, the victim ; while without. 

Beheld the fierce expression of His foes. 

And asked in peremptory tone and brief: 

" What accusation bring ye 'gainst this man ? " 

Surprised at this, expecting him to grant 

Their dire request without the legal trial. 

Then Annas to Caiaphas did say : 

*' Prepare thy charges apt to move the judge." 

Then Caiaphas, with hesitation, brief: 

" If He were not a malefactor, we 

Would not deliver Him up unto thee." 



THE TRIAI,. 129 

*' Take ye Hini and judge Him as by your law." — 
Then to himself: " They seek His death, and will 
That I shall give the sentence for that deed. 
With envy well aroused they woiild destroy 
A righteous man who would reform the mock 
At holiness existing 'mongst their clan." 
Then Caiaphas, intent to spare themselves 
The accusation of the rising voice, 
Should some reaction of the people move 
To favor Him, and shift the Roman law. 
Would take advantage of their legal check 
And thus our Lord's prediction did fulfil :"'^- 
" It is not lawful for us to put to death." 
" Nor, dare I put to death without just cause." 
'* No cause shall satisfy as treason's gross 
Attempt the throne of Caesar to usurp, 
Or move an insurrection 'gainst the power 
To which thou art thyself sworn to protect. 
This man we found, our nation to pervert. 
Forbidding them the tribute money pay. 
In opposition to our Csesar's rule, 
Proclaiming that Himself is Christ, a King." 
Thus angry were the billows that did dash 
*St. M?.tt. XX. 19: St.Jol ri xii. 32, 33. 



130 THE SACRIFICK. 

Against the rock upon which Christ then stood 

But touched alone its base, not moving Him, 

Who was within the Prince of peace, with peace 

In true majestic pose so neatly robed. 

Then Pilate went to Him; The question put 

In pity and with some contempt for Jew : 

" Art thou the King of the Jews ? " 

Jesus : " Sayest thou this thing of thyself, 

Or did others tell it to thee of me? " 

" Am I a Jew? " — This said with much disdain. 

" Thine own nation and the chief priests have thee- 

Delivered unto me. What hast thou done? " 

" Not of this world is my kingdom. If so 

Then would my servants fight in temp'ral way 

That I should not unto the Jews go bound. 

My kingdom is not temporal. My rule 

Is peace and love, and in each human breast 

My sceptre there shall sway, there be my throne." 

" Thou art a king then ? — Surpassing Caesar, 

For he may rule the outer man, his mind 

He cannot rule. Thy speech seems very strange." — 

" Thou sayest it. Because I am a king. 

To this end was I born and for this cause 

Came I into the world, that P should bear 



THE TRIAI,. r3I 

Unto the truth my witness, to mankind. 
And they that hear my voice are of the truth. 
They quibble not of worldly things, but do 
To godly principles adhere, seek truth." 
" What is truth ? — Thou stand'st and answereth not. 
'Tis just. I have much heard of thee. My wife, 
A proselyte unto the Jewish faith, 
Hath often wondered, and hath oft desired 
Some demonstration of thy power to see. 
Thou stand'st, as thou'dst have me but on Thee look, 
And there discover truth. Art thou this truth ?"'-•- 
" This came I forth to manifest to man." 
.The governor, with something awe, beheld 
The prisoner, as if in wonder much, 
Uncertain of His words. Then, as resolved 
Upon some weighty question well determined, 
Unto the Jews again went he with speech : 
'* I find no crime in Him." 
" No crime? " cried Caiaphas, "No crime ? " 
Then Annas : " He our ofiice hath condemned ; 
And spake blasphemy of the name of God. 
He doth proclaim Himself a king, and would 
With Caesar vie. Another Brutus He, 

*St. John xiv. 6. 



132 THE SACRIFICE. 

A Cassius in the shape of Jew. Beware 
The people have by Him been greatly moved. 
A few days gone and He distressed our walls 
And in the temple heard Himself a king 
Proclaimed. Nor could we move him to desist 
Such acclamations false. He has disturbed 
Our festival with jeering mobs in streets ; 
And, too, in public, priestly acts denounced. 
A pestilent fellow. Contagious crime 
Breeds from His very soul and spreads abroad 
Throughout all Jewry. A dangerous man. 
If this be false let Him deny our charge." 
A moment's pause. The Christ stood silent by. 
Bach plaintiff to the other looked, with e3^es 
Red, flashing with dire hate. Excitement blazed. 
Then Pilate to the Christ io modest tone : 
'* Answerest thou nothing? — Hearest thou not 
The multitudinous complaints they bring 
Against thee; and for thy death do make plea? " 
The Christ, still speechless, stood in noble mien. 
The governor looked on with marvel great, 
"What man art thou, and not defend thyself? " 
Then to the chief priests and the people said : 
" In this man, sirs, find I no fault." 



THE TRIAIv. 133 

Then urgent more, with hope determined, fixed. 
They cried the loiiier, and with rage declared: 
He stirreth up the people, teaching falsely. 
And doctrine most heretical, throughout 
Judea, from the coasts of Galilee 
Unto this place. A traitor to our church." 
"Of Galilee, say you?" 
" Born in Bethlehem, in Nazareth lives." 
"Let Herod's jurisdiction judge Him then. 
To Herod take Him then, let him decide." 
To Herod and return, the Jews with Christ 
Made hasty step. All bafPied in their plans 
Thus far, with disappointment raised to ire ; 
And Herod, foiled in miracle to see. 
Pilate : "Ye have this man unto me brought 
As one that doth pervert the people much. 
Behold, before 5''Ou I examined Him 
And in Him found no fault as touching things 
Whereof 5^e did accu-se Him ; nor Herod. 
He sent Him back to us; and lo, nothing- 
Worthy of death hath yet by Him been done. 
Him will I chastise then and Him release. 
For, so it be your custom that I should 
Vnto you at the passover release 



T34 THE SACRIFICE. 

One, whom ye will. Shall He then be your king? " 
A moment's pause. The elders much confused, 
The priests impatient how to act, moved quick ; 
And with impassioned speech among themselves 
Advise a plan most helpful to their cause. 
At this came Stratocles, quite out of breath, 
With hasty step most anxious for the Christ, 
And met at court Buclides, foiled in plan. 
Stratocles : '' Good brother, what good befalls." 
" All is spent, for our labor nothing gained. 
I questioned many, and with eloquence 
Held hope to move, but all were dumb to speech 
Or argument in His behalf. Those Jews 
Who cried Hosanna, now with priests accord, 
And move to have Him crucified. You hear, 
Yon burly Jew, with shallow pate, and mouth 
Ivike donkey yawned? The same is one, who once 
Was by this good man healed of leprosy." 
" Oh, thrice doubled challenged swine, so to turn 
And rend the One who graced thy path with pearls. 
When will the heart of man learn noble truth 
And love for fellow man, and cease to spend 
Itself in hatred on its foremost friend ? 
Not till the doctrine taught by this Wise One 



THK TRIAI,. 135 

^hall universally possess men's minds, 

Devoid of superstition be conceived ; 

Then there shall be a change, all crime for peace, 

Hatred turned to love, sin to righteousness ; 

Then shall we need no law, nor kingly power 

To rule, and He alone and His true love, 

Our natures changed, shall guide man unto truth ; 

True love for God and man shall rectify 

Abuses centered in the human heart : 

And conscience, ruled by that same law of His, 

Shall trespass not on brother's liberty ; 

Precepts shall pass away for principle, 

Man's will in keeping with the will of God 

Shall re-establish Him in image grand ; 

Thus from his fall shall He rise up to state 

lyike unto that of innocence, first had — 

But see ! They still petition Pilate, much 

Enraged, as like an insurrection moved, 

That he with sterner brow looks fixed on. 

Then lest he bow to their requests I must 

T'him with written message fram Procula."* 

With intense yearning they implored His blood. 



♦Claudia Prccala, wife of Pontius Pilate. Her name is given in 
the gospel of Nicodemus, which says she was a proselyte. 



136 THK sacrifice;. 

And of the judge demanded their dear pre5^ 
Then Caiaphas : " We will not take Him free, 
But bound and sentenced unto Roman death. 
Pilate : " One other stands condemned to death, 
By name, Bar-Abbas, an insurrectionist, 
With them who murdered, taken prisoner. 
Whom will ye that I unto 3^ou release, 
Bar-Abbas or Jesus, which is called Christ? " 
"Bar-Abbas," went up the appeal from priests, 
And then their whisper went the round to move 
The populace to speak for Bar- Abbas. 
They, env3'ing this man, will smother crime 
And crime increase by executing truth." 
His thought was stayed by Stratocles, who now 
Had reached the judge with letter from his wife. 
" Read o'er this most worthy Pilate, — na}', read ! " 
" In hand of Procula ! — But, put it b}-." 
" No, Pontius, she did implore me move 
You read it o'er e'er you did quit this case." 
" I'll glance at it. Pray, thou remain. I may 
Have need of thee, my good centurian. 
This rabbling swarm of Israelitish sv/ine 
Do put me to the test. To quell, perchance. 
The tumult now abroach, I'll have thee soon 



THE TRIAL,. 137 

^Bring down thy force from yonder garrison.— 
' Most precious Pontius:— ^€H addressed.— 
* Have thou naught to do with that righteous man.. 
My sleep disturbed by dreams most hideous 
Which did direct to injuries done thee 
That so U7istrung my 7ierves, with trembling hand 
I warn thee in but fewest words. Desist 
And spare thyself the consequences grave. 
Far more dread mi?ie, than Calfernid's dreams' 
So short and most important! 'Twas in haste. 
Had Caesar his Calfernia's dreams held 
As grave import, prophetical of death, 
He had escaped the hacking dagger's pain. 
And shall I not some credit give to dreams 
That touch our person close ? The gods look down 
And warn us of the evils yet to fall. 
Their guilt shall not on me recline. I'll rid 
Myself of all responsibility." 
" Release to us Bar- Abbas, not Jesus. 
Him crucify," proclaimed the multitude. 
Urged on by dictates from the elders, priests, 
" And shall not release the King of the Jews ? " 
" No, Bar- Abbas. Thou dost us mock with scorn." 
" What shall I do with the King of the Jews ? " 



. 138 THE SACRIFICE. 

" Crucify Him. Crucify Him." 

^* Why, what evil hath this man done ? In Him 

No cause of death have I yet found. I will, 

Therefore, this same man chastise and release." 

*' No," cried they with higher voice and louder 

" But sentence Him to crucifixion straight, 

Or else all Jewry shall oppose thy power. 

We'll have His blood, if not by leave, by force." 

*' Ho, there," cried Caiaphas, "Hands for your priest 

Ivct not the enemy prevail, but bear 

Your arms in favor of our priestly state." 

" Down with the power of Pilate, Rome, and all." 

The mob, excited, grew intense in voice ; 

The angry tumult waged ; and, all astir, . 

Moved with that passion seen in wildest fray, 

Except the Christ, who stood in silence grand. 

*' Hold," cried Pilate, stepping forth, with gesture 

Fair, indicative of peace. "Stay awhile." 

Thus Pilate, recollecting cruelties 

In past, in dread of serious complaints 

Ivcst that same blood he shed and mingled with 

The Jewish sacrifice would on his head 

Recoil and vengeance crave, unlike the brave 

And sturdy Gallio who did from his 



THE TRIAIv. 139 

Tribunal, with all bold insouciance drive, 
From guilty state to cowardice, and thence 
To weakness, fell ; and, blood for sacrifice 
More precious than the rest, came short to save. 
" I cross you not in your requests, but that 
I find no fault, the law forbids me act. 
Therefore," — at this he had some water brought 
And in the basin dipped his trembling hands, — 
"That I am innocent of this man's blood, 
This righteous man, behold! — See ye to it." 
" His blood be on us," cried the leaders cruel, 
" And on our children." Thus the multitude. 
'' Do with these two according as ye will — 
Soldiers, obey the high-priest in command. 
Proceed according as he will t'custome 
Determined on by crucifixion past ; 
Him scourged, return to our pretorium." 

Kind heaven give us strength, and Thou, O guide. 
That did Me first move unto this same task, 
Support in weakness now, thus to behold 
How they did scourge the Son of God most high. 
The Roman scum that served at soldiery, 
Then led the Christ into a secret room 
Where they Him stripped of that His linen robe ; 



140 THE SACRIFICE. 

Bound Him to post with bended back and bare^ 
And then with angry scourge inflicted pain 
While each with mighty flagellum, composed 
Of leathren strips, of lead, of roughened bone, 
Applied with vengeance for His hated race ; 
And, if as that Kusebeus does tell 
Of martyr's scourged, His flesh lay bare to bone,. 
His face much marred by accidental blows, 
His life almost exhausted under pain. 
These soldiers joyed in this. Too coward they 
To enter that arena where did fight 
The gladiator brave to 'muse the sense 
Of brutal Roman at expense of life ; 
To expend on this, most tiger-like in skill, 
Their angry passion to destroy, supplied 
The satisfaction which their nature craved. 
This not enough, but panther-like with p^rey, 
They fell to tease and torture with keen mock : 
About Him placed a cast-off battle robe 
Of purple hue. Then cried a jeering voice : 
*' Here lies a reed, a scepter make for Him," 
And placed it in His bound and trembling hands. 
Anothei*thus : " They say he would be cast 
With Caesar. Plat therefore a wreath of thorns. 



THE TRIAI,. 141 

And let Him wear the sign of Julius 
Imperial. This will adhere t' His head." 
So, bowing low the knee in jesture well 
Of page or courtier to Him exclaimed : 
" Hail, thou, King of the Jews!" 
B'en now derision, more than thorny crown, 
Afflicted pain, and pity moved more grief. 
He who did once refuse their zeal to make 
Of Him a temporal king, does now submit to wear 
His crown and sceptre in humility. 
Then led they forth the Christ to judgment seat 
Where Pilate stood, once more to plead for Him ; 
And unto them who were below, declared : 
" Behold ! To you I bring Him forth that ye 
May know that I in Him no crime do find." 
Then Jesus, so arrayed in mock-king garb. 
Came forward too, with sorrow stricken brow, 
And frame much wearied under scourger's blows. 
And stood with noble calm, and awful pose. 

The multitude surprised at jest so plain, 
But for their worldly priests, might have been gained 
By the Procurator to better terms, 
And in His scourging been quite satisfied 
And well rebuked at this dread mockery. 



142 THK SACRIFICE. 

But now, as all time gives us weighty note, 

Religious zeal and hatred there aroused 

Of all man's passions, last controlled, 

The Elders, Sadducees and priests, looked on 

That wearied form, by sleepless night well worn, 

By dread anticipation, sad, depressed. 

With thought pre-eminent still for His death. 

Then Pilate with some pity for the Christ : 

" BEHOI.D THE Man !" 

Oh, guide, oh, angels, help : and Thou, oh Christ, 

Mine eyes dry now that I may see Thee still ; 

Not robed in Roman cloak, but Light divine. 

Not crowned with thorns, but with Thy Victory won. 

Within Thy hand no reed but Truth to sway ; 

And with these things of mockery let fall 

My sins and all my wickedness compared ; 

Ambition with Thy thorny crown, displace ; 

All worldly cares no longer choke good seed ; 

By thy reproaches, love of flattery lose ; 

All vanity removed with spittle foul ; 

Abuse of liberty from pillar freed ; 

Polluted hands, removed with piercing nails ; 

Thy silent patience expiate excuse ; 

Thy parch'd tongue, all language vile forbid ; 



THE TRIAI,. 143 

Thy tearful eyes mine clear of lustful glance, 

And Thee alone, when cleansed of sin, behold. 

" Behold the Many 

'* Crucify, crucify !" The prelates cried. 

" Then Pilate: " Take ye Him and crucify, 

I find no fault in Him." 

" We have a law, by that He ought to die, 

Because He made Himself the Son of God. 

" The Son of God !" Said Pilate to himself. 

He smote his forehead and with glaring eye 

Obeyed his former word and, Christ, beheld ; 

" 'Tis true, the gods come down in human form, 

And this One bears the sign of Meekness— Truth !'* 

A moment o'er, this thought relieved his mind 

And into judgment hall returned ; with him, 

Jesus, led by former guard. Thus Pilate : 

" Unrobe the kingly-mock'ry here bestowed, 

And put upon Him that He first did wear.— 

There lives in this Man's brow, something divine, 

Or else, all human patience quite surpassed, 

He stands a man beyond our knowledge gained."— 

And then in lower tone, indulged in awe. 

He to the Christ. " Whence art thou ?— Speak.— speak.— 

Answerest not Thou even me ?— If be 



144 '^^^ SACRIFICE. 

Thou art from realms above, or from the dead, 

As like our Csesar's spirit once returned, 

Deliver unto me Thy mission here. — 

Refusest Thou to answer even me ? " 

Impatient, and to less fear reconciled, 

The governor did raise his voice. Again : 

" Knowest Thou not I have authority 

To crucify, and power Thee to release ? " 

Then Jesus : " Authority thou'dst not have 

Against me aught except 'twer given thee, 

And from above. He that delivered me 

To thee, hath he, therefore, the greater sin." 

" Thou speakest strangely. Much I do believe. 

'Tis even so, and so the Jews believe." 

Upon this, Pilate sought again the Jews 

That he might set Him free. " The Son of God ! 

Said they." This to himself. 

Then to the Jews, whose cries still rang with rage, 

^' By my authority I set Him free." 

The Jews with steps and passion, clamoring: 

" If thou release this. man, it does bespeak. 

Thou art not Caesar's friend. Whosoever 

Doth make himself a king, 'gainst Caesar speaks. 

This He has done, and would o'erthrow his power." 



THE TRIAI,. 145 

^' This Tiberius wears a jealous eye. — 

That I am Cesar's friend let this be proof, — 

Bring forth the prisoner. — Behold your king i " 

""Away with Him, away. Him crucif)'." 

" Shall I your King, then crucify ? " 

"" We have no king but Csesar."' Thus the priests. 

■" Then take ye Him, and do as ye have will.— 

And thou, good Stratocles, attend with guards, 

That naught shall interfere with their intents." 

Thus closed that dreadful trial. The Jews their King 

Denied, and chose for them the temporal power. 

They ceased their Messeanic hopes to hold, 

In person of their representatives ; 

Blasphemed and came to suicide. So, dead, 

The corpse of their fair nation, scattered now. 

Remains deceived. His second time awaits. 

Who is the Resurrection and the Life. 

Now Judas, hope all gone, with thoughts more black 
Than ere he had conceived, might to the mind 
Of man, when foul attempts had failed, occur, 
Did under his remorse in spirit break, 
And anguish buried him in grave of woe. 
That,, Christ had prophesied, was now fulfilled. 



146 THE SACRIFICE, 

In melancholy, self-condemned he stood 

With glaring eye and vacant stare toward Christ. 

What He had suffered, suffered he in mind, 

Together with remorse of fiendish deed. 

He would unto the Christ make now his way, 

But guards prevented this ; and, lost in hope, 

In prayer spent waning zeal, quite racked his brain,. 

With reason worn to shreds, with mind diseased, 

With comprehension of his truest state, 

And seeing in the Christ what he had once 

Been taught was there, went out a maniac 

Into the field of blood, to end his day : 

Which field, the priests, to bury strangers in. 

Did after buy, as once was prophesied.* 

Here Judas, conscience-stricken, hanged himself; — 

The price of land, the price of sinful pelf, 

And ever note our evil acts turn home. 

An evil end to evil deeds must come, — 

Which conscience, had he been by it first stayed,. 

But now he finds betrayer most betrayed. 

In dying groan, the last words in his mind 

W^ere, " I have betrayed the innocent blood," 

Last sounded in his ears : " See thou to it ! " 



*Zech. xi: 12. Compare Jer. xxxii. 6. 



THE TRIAI,. 147 

And when on that same day, in darkness veiled, 
He struggled with uplifted hand in flood, 
Could he through liquid flame those eyes behold 
Whose gaze he once knew well ; and, loving still, 
Would now the Christ, with pity for His foes. 
That contrite hand clasp in forgiving love ? 
Oh, can there be in that eternal Love 
A love for this betrayer of the Christ? 
The saddest character of human kind. 
We hope so. He did penance sorely. 
Or now, or where he is, or w^hat the place, 
Oh, Jesu, save his soul.— We love him— hid?— * 
As Thou didst pray,t he knew not what he did. 

Let end the mighty as the mighty live, 
The cradle of their death be that of birth. 
And if in peasantry they bear their state, 
In peasantry their grave may equal well. 
For what is all this life if gain, some, by 
Actions desperate a pomp or honor 
In the eyes of men, which eyes shall soon grow 
Dim and lose their comprehension of such 
Colors grand. What then is all their glory ? 
Far better may we bear His cross and pain 

*No account of his place given. tSt. Luke xxui. 34. 



148 THE SACRIFICE. 

In sacrifice of passions temporal ; 

And, from all temporal things self-sanctified 

To 'joy the things eternal and of I^ife. 

Thus glory, save but in His cross alone. 

So Jesus lived, tempted to earthly reign, 

Endowed with power to conquer nations, all, 

As in His birth, with much humility. 

Of worldly 'vantage, sacrificed them all 

To fill his purposed mission to mankind. 

The throne of Righteousness established He, 

And then in death, more humble than His birth. 

Himself did sacrifice, atonement made. 

So was His state and so His station grand 

In sight of God, that Pilate, now His judge. 

Not all for mockery, nor spite of Jew, 

Proclaimed Him King, The Long Expected, come ; 

And 'bout His neck they tied His title board. 

Which read. Of Jews, the King. Not so, the priests 

Would have it read, and thus to Pilate craved : 

" Write not the King of Jews ; but, that He said, 

I am King of the Jews. This be His crime."* 

" What I have written, I have written there." 

Thus Pilate, then withdrew from further plea. 

*The custom was to write on a board to be attached to the cross of 
those condemned to that death, the charges upon which they were con- 
demned. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 149 



CANTO YI. 



THE CRUCinXION, 



Now on, on soldiers, and you Jewish swarm, 
To scenes of agony surpassing grief, 
To modes most direful in the thought of man ; 
On to Carthagenian punishment. 

The way was rough, though smooth to inward course. 
O'er which they led the Savior, bound to cross, 
Unknown now, for cities and their ruins 
Since have covered well His footsteps most deep. 
Though in the mind that roughest journey lives 
As fresh to-day as that same day when well 
His bare feet did upon the parch'd stones 
Their bloody stain and sacred imprint leave. 
How weak, and almost prostrate struggled He 
Along His way, by loss of sleep made faint, 
Distress of mind, and hunger pressing hard, 



I50 THE SACRIFICE. 

Till He had passed without the gate, then fell, 

And kissed the earth that trembled 'neath its Lord. 

*' Shame, thrice shame," cried Simon, from Afric's shore, 

And volunteered to lift the humbled form ; 

When cried a guard that urged the Christ along : 

" If thou dost pity Him then bear His cross. — 

Come, soldiers, bind upon this Cyren's back 

The wood this Isaac fails Himself to bear." 

Onward they rushed ; and, Jesus, partly borne. 

They urged with beating and with cruel stripes ; 

Excitement offered thus to multitude, 

Which forth from city streets and gate did pour, 

Until, that place of death now well approached, 

They drew a halt, and crucified two thieves. 

The Christ looked 'round and on the city gazed. 

The tears flowed down His cheek, dark beads of blood 

Stood out on brow. The God-Man suffered much. 

At this there sprung from melancholy throng, 

As well betrays the nature of our race. 

The lamentations of the women folk, 

For they will pour out sympathy when men 

In passion cooled, and dread of weakness felt, 

Disdain to seem what man should ever be 

The sympathetic friend of friendless man. 



THK CRUCIFIXION. 15I 

•^ Woe ! woe ! ten times double woe ! " cried they, 

*' Oh, most pitiful ! " 

'* Oh, most dreadful torture ! " 

" How terrible for this, our Jesus death ? " 

"Pity on you, Man of Sorrows." 

'' Love for you who suffers willingly." 

*' Tears for the crucified." 

" We'll weep His funeral thus, and feel His pain." 

•*' We'll share His pain, if but to pacif3^" 

" Let each our hearts be by His passion marked." 

^* Upon our minds may ever there be writ 

The Crucifixion of this Righteous Man." 

^' We pity Thee, Oh, Nazarine! " 

They clenched their hands, uncovered well their heads 

And did not foil their grievious passion moved. 

Then from the group of women came a voice, 

More sweet to Jesus ear, yet far more sad, 

Two words alone, nor more could it express : 

*' My Jesus."— 

'Twas Mary's voice. John recognized it well ; 

And, quick, with fleetest step approached her side. 

" Oh, woman, why come here to witness Him 

Who would you spare from this. His mortal pang. 

I would have noted you of this, but cared 



152 THK SACRIFICE. 

To Spare you of unnecessary pain." 

The Virgin swooned, but well supported by 

St. John, whom well her son did love, and soon 

Was able to reply in whisper faint, 

In broken voice, frame tre«ibling as she spake : 

'■ Where should the Mother be but by His side 

To whom she once gave birth ? What should she bear 

If not His dying pang, if pain of birth ? 

Oh, John, thou would'st me spare ; but know, I feel 

His pain in sympathy as He in deed. — 

But list ! In faintest voice He speaks." — 

Then Christ, with feeble form, and head bowed low, 

With broken utterance, forgetting self. 

With thoughts of their welfere, who for Him wept, 

And for Jerusalem's approaching hou«r : 

^'Daughters of fair Jerusalem, for me 

Weep not, but for yourselves and children weep, 

Nor me, but for the cause of this, my woe. 

Ivament ye for the sins of fallen man. 

Not less, and for the deadly curse that needs 

Must fall on Israel, my chosen ones. 

Behold ! the days are coming in the which 

Ye and your sisters shall well say, Blessed 

The barren, and the wombs that never bear, 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 153 

The paps that ne'er unto mankind give suck.* 

Then shall they say, O mountains cover us, 

And to the little hills, upon us fall."t 

That little cloud at early morn which peered 

From western clime, grew now to blackest hue, 

Increased in size and covered well the scene 

Where eye could view from hallowed spot 

By death, so soon to follow, set apart. 

More dismal grew the day ; and at these words 

Of warning as uttered by the Christ, a shriek, 

As ghostly voices from the dead, arose. 

The guards did even tremble at the sound. 

And fainting hearts cried, "No ! " Again the Christ : 

" If they do thus subject Me, as a tree, 

Green, unripe in desert of their vengeance, 

How shall this nation, dry, and worthy quite, 

In flaw, burn in the flame of foreign ire."t 

Weep not for Thee, and pity not bestow ! 

*Is. liv. 1.— Some authorities would suggest Hos. ix. 14. 

t Hos. X, 8.— As a prophecy concerning- this event compare Hos. 
xi. 6. 

X One has but to refer to the times of Titus to see how thoroughly 
were fulfilled the prophecies of Christ concerning the destruction of 
Jerusalem and the Jewish nation ; how her walls were intrenched, the 
city razed to the ground, and the inhabitants taken captive and scat- 
tered throughout the world . Well did the women cry to God to spare 
their bearing. 



154 THE SACRIFICE. 

Ah, Thou, oh Christ, would'st here unloose our minds 
From thoughts of human weakness or of pain, 
And ever with thy will divine, instruct 
Us in our true condition and acquaint 
Us with that sense of sin, that we may mourn, 
Not for that Thou hast suffered, but the cause ; 
Nay more, for what thou suffered'st for our sakes. 
No man could take Thy life, but Thou did'st give 
It voluntarily, a Sacrifice. 

They now had reached that place called Golgotha, 
And brutal hands Him laid upon the cross. 
But spare us now the sound of hammer dread, 
As through His hands. His feet, bent to the post. 
Rough nails with firey heat and edge, they drove. 
*' Drink, King, the cup of Thy most royal throne, 
A beverage that will Thy pain appease, 
The avenues of anguish will so close 
That parched tongue, and agonizing heart. 
Which burns the throats of sufferers, be cooled." 
Thus spake the guard, and to His quivering lips 
Applied the cup with wine well mixed with gall. 
No pity still desir'dst Thou, Son of Man, 
Prom daughters of Jerusalem who did 
Through charity this potion furnish oft 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 155 

To strengthen those thus sentenced to Thy death ; 

To ordinary weakness yielded not 

Thou, as human nature craves, for Thou did'st 

Go to cross not as by sentence urge'd, 

But meeting death t' conquer death, did'st go. 

Thou went'st a willing sacrifice self-willed. 

He put the cup aside, of it drank not. 

His drink would be of perfect state of man. 

And now for Man when torture was extreme 

The crisis of His pain well entered on, 

And for His enemies who crucified 

We hear that faint voice whisper out its prayer, 

While Darkness struggled with the God of Light. 

The Christ most humble now and most Divine, 

" Father, forgive, they know not what they uo 

Thou great High Priest, who by thine Altar stands 

To offer sacrifice and intercede. 

To spend thyself in service for thy poor. 

Look down from that Thy bed of torture now, 

Behold my sins that crucify afresh, 

And pray the Father pardon ignorance. 

Father, of all, the brotherhood of Man, 

Thy Father, ours, to Him Thou did'st make prayer, 

Oh, may we recognize in this that men 



T56 THB sacrifice;. 

Of nations all, of rank, of kind, are sons 

Of that same God, a universal tribe ; 

And all in deepest sympathy forgive, 

As Thou forgav'st thine enemies, so we 

Forgive those who may trespass 'gainst our will 

Affection filial. Thy wisdom learned, 

May we too, look upon the sins of man 

As show of ignorance, our enemies 

As friends if they but knew their state, amiss ; 

And pray e'en in Thy words when men revile 

And persecute, or slander, undeserved. 

Or cross us in felicity of mind : 

*' Father, forgive^ they know not what they do^ 

The third hour* now arrived, His cross they raised^ 
And on each side a robber crucified : 
An old man on His right, a younger, left. 
And as in desert when they did behold 
The brazen serpent raised on Moses' pole, 
And by their faith found all diseases healed, 
So Christ they raised, and on Him many gazed. 
As by a serpent, sin came into the world, 
His place is conquered by the sinless now, 
And sin expiated by His death. 

*Morning', corresponding- to our ninth hour. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. I 57 

Th« multitude, like rolling flood moved still 
In swelling tide, on toward His cross, and read 
With eyes most constant fixed those words 
Offensive to the general, who fawned 
On bold ecclesiastical pretence.. 

'0 fiaffiXev^ 6 tc^v 'lovdaioov 
Rex Judseorum ; scriptus ita est 
Hie Crucifixi Jesu Titulus, 
While multitude and individuals 
With eyes upon the title fixed dispute 
Regarding Pilate's insolence ; below. 
The soldiers, now according to their mode 
And custom to divide among themselves 
The garments left by those they execute, 
Made choice of His. Four soldiers shared the spoil 
And on that garment, clerically made, 
In ritual pure, without a seam to mar 
Its symmetry, they cast and chose by lot. 
Who gained, let no inquiring mind make quest, 
The garment of them all, most sanctified. 
E'en to this part the Scripture was fulfilled.* 
And furthermore as all things were ordained 

*Psalm xxii. 18. 



158 THK SACRIFICE. 

By Law to be observed in types of this 

One Perfect Sacrifice, all made complete, 

So prophecy in this is now fulfilled. 

Then while they gaze, may we with them give note^ 

Not criticise those words more than to learn 

How precious are they to the faithful soul. 

King of the Jews ! Indeed from every view 

We take. In gilded typs we read this truth, 

Of that, God's chosen race, not one except, 

Nor Abraham, nor Isaac, Jacob, all, 

Nor Moses, favored by God's written Law, 

With Him compared. Though saints there were before 

E'en David, perfect in the eye of God, 

Knew not nor realized His majesty. 

Of chosen race, more perfect than them all, 

He, only, lived a Man devoid of sin. 

Thy rule oh Jesu, King of Jews, and all 

Who to Thy Throne, the Cross, do genuflect, 

Dwell in our hearts. Thy kingdom be there fixed ; 

Thy cross our cross to foil approaching sin. 

In meditation now, my guide to me : 
" List, thou, oh, list, and give thy heedful ear, 
E'en from these voices harsh some lesson learn, 
How they in ignorance do thus revile 



the; crucifixion. 159 

The Holy One of Israel." In dream, 

Or in some state of mind, not as awake 

I realized I heard their voices grate 

Upon my tender ear, and he, my guide, 

Make comment on their words to this extent. 

And saw the rabble, priests, the elders, scribes. 

In wreckless gate and wagging w^ell their heads 

As they before His quiv'ring form did pass ; 

Hyena-like and fawning 'bout his prey 

With taunting voice and accent angry, one : 

-" Destroyest Thou the temple and in days 

But three rebuild it? Ha, ha, ha, ha. 

If Thou canst do it, save Thyself alive." 

His hoarse laugh and mocking grin shocked senses 

Unaccustomed. To me then thus my guide : 

" The Temple they destroyed, in three days rose 

Again in form and making, excellent , 

That of flesh and blood composed, more than earth. 

In three days on that temple's sight, was built. 

Where all Jerusalem did worship God, 

His Church, His Temple, ne'er to be destroyed " — 

Destroy Thy Temple, Thou, oh perfect Christ ! 

Cleanse mine of sin and fill it with Thy Ghost.* 

*1 Cor. vi. 19. 



i6o THE sacrifice;. 

Another thus : " Art thou the Son cf God ? 

Then from the cross come down." Again my guide : 

*' Know thou, oh son, He would not tempt His God, 

For this He came, from this He would not flee ; 

But there stayed He that might remain our sins, 

For which He died, nailed to the cross, debarred, 

And if thou do upon that cross reflect 

Thou shalt be raised to cross all passions gross." 

Likewise the priests, the scribes, the elders, said: 

" He others saved, Himself He cannot save." 

'' He could not save Himself, for 'twas His will 

Himself to give. Thus loving save the 'loved ■• 

That by His death they might have life etern'." 

Help, Jesu, us to realize this love. 

For greater love hath none than thus to give 

His life. May I for Thee my life lay down. 

" Of Israel, He is the King— Ha, ha !" 

A scornful scribe thus bawled, " Let Him come down 

Now from the cross, we will on Him believe." 

" With lying lips, they still belie the Christ. 

If one should from the dead unto them got 

Their saying would prove false. They'd not believe. 

Nor would the will of God be manifest'. " 



*St. John iii. 16. tSt. Luke xvi. 31. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. l6r 

Draw us unto Thy Cross. Thou hast come down 
I^rom God unto mankind. Raise Thou man up, 
And on Thy cross his sinful nature purge, 
And make him once again Thine image, pure. 
A priest, in Scriptures versed, the Psalter sang : 
" In God He trusted ; let Him deliver* 
Him now, if He desireth Him. He said : 
■* I am the Son of God.' " This was fulfilled 
When He was from the womb of mother earth 
Upon the third day raised, delivered so. 
The Son of God. In jest he spake the truth. 
In that He did fulfill the Father's will 
All nature manifested Him Divine ; 
In prayer surpassing human thought, in life 
■Surpassing man's ideal, all law fulfilled 
And lived the Spirit of all Truth in deed. 
The Father's He possessed.! In Him did dwell 
The fullness of the Godhead bodily, i 
Again the soldiers offered Him the drink 
In mockery, in jest to serve a king : 
'' Drink, royal liege, the cup of kingly state, 
Protect Thy realm. If Thou be King of Jews. 
Bring forth Thy soldiery and save Thyself." 
*Compare Psalm xxii. 7, 8, 9. tSt. John xvi. 15 iColossians'. 



l62 THE SACRIFICE. 

The young man on his cross with gnashing teeth 
In pain replete, with reckless view of death 
Held up by stubborn pride, and foolish zest 
With clench'd hands and nerves well strained, reviled :: 
'' If Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us. 
Or else confess Thyself and die the death." 
The other older and of judgment prime 
Replied : " Dost thou not fear e'en God? Thou art 
With Him in very condemnation placed, 
We suffer justly. We receive the due 
Reward of deeds. This Man did naught amiss." 
Did naught amiss ; but, all in complement 
To that due course laid out for Him on earth. 
In Righteous deeds and sacrificial act. 
Toward that same thief the Christ head turned : His eyes- 
Met His. The sympathy expressed, exchanged 
The sinner with the God-Man, God with him, 
Then to the Christ the robber made request : 
" Lord, IvOrd, remember me, when Thou dost come 
Into Thy Kingdom." This in prayerful mood. 
So, silent, Christ, until a sinner pleads 
Then prone to cleanse him from his every sin : 

'' VERIIyY, UNTO THEE I SAY, TO-DAY 

In Paradise, Shai.t thou E'en with Me be." 



THE CRUCIFIXIOiSr. 165 

In Paradise with Thee ! — Remember me ! 

What Kingdom looked the robber for, if Jews 

Expected temp'ral power, when Jesus died 

With him, as 'mong transgressors numbered He ? 

A discourse then from mind to mind without 

The aid of speech, him so advised, that he, 

(Or else he learned when Pilate learned of Truth,)- 

By faith did comprehend the 'spiritual. 

" Remember me," the thief — so we, do cry. 

And with that love for fellow sufferers 

Who Him revile, and for the Christ who dies 

With us in agony, we plead in woe 

That He may us remember. He with love 

Exceeding ours, desires our prayers ,|;o grants 

And more than we dare ask, reveals a hope 

To dwell with Him in Parad'se. What then ? 

Remember me. Oh, Lord, thy memory 

Doth well encompass sinners vile, and I, 

Though by mankind despised, alone, cast down,. 

In deep humility nia}^ be by Thee 

Made fit to dwell with Thee in Thine own realm ; 

And, though I self forget, forget Thou not ; 

Increase my faith that I remember Thee, 

Then surely Thou wilt well remember me. 



164 THE SACRIFICE. 

Remember me? If I remember Thee, 

Then when mine hour shall come Remember Me, 

And e'en to me repeat Thy precious words : 

*' To-day shai^T be with Me in Paradise." 

Oh, Paradise, whence we do look for hope, 

And long to be with friends departed thence, 

'Tis there we make abode, sojourning here, 

'Tis there the friends we deepest love are gone. 

And love them more for being there with Thee. 

We think of home, of Paradise to come, 

And happy grow our thoughts, when from the world 

Our minds seem fast away, Bach thought of friend 

Or letter laid aside, or motto worked 

Inspires us with that hope. Thy words fulfill. 

That we with them may be, in life with Thee. — 

Behold ! thou viewer of this dreaded sight 

And see, if aught on earth calls forth from Thee 

A sympathy, and tears, compassionate 

As this before thine eyes on Golgotha. 

Upon the cross our Jesus, Son of Man, 

Near by His Mother stands in stiffened grief, 

Thus, statue-like, in awe, in maddened pain. 

Supported well by him whom Jesus loved, 

^t. John, who favored Him in lonely hour 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 165 

By constant presence, next to Him in woe, 
His Mother's sister, women bathed in tears. 
His Mother! Oh, blessed name, most humane 
She stood, as mothers always stand, faithful 
In hours of sickness, grief, or death, in faith 
Of that revealed to her before His birth. 
Love spake with love and sought its fervent way 
Through gloomy mist, His eye met hers, hers His, 
And sympathy supported both in trial. 
With that same gift* He had St. John endowed 
Would now endow him with a mother's care. 
Oh, most obedient and loving Son 
Thyself forget when self would be foremost, 
And make provision for the things of earth ! 
" Weep not for Me — another fill my place. 
" Woman, bkhold thy Son ! " To Mary thus. 
To the disciple, " Behoi^d thy Mother ! " 
Oh ! woman, ever watch and guard thy son, 
For thou alone can'st train him in the good. 
Endow him with thy virtue and thy love 
All pure and holy as the Virgin's breath. 
And thou, oh, son, behold thy mother, care 
For her when she is old, despise her not, 
*Love. 



l66 THE SACRIFICE. 

For ever note, she is thy truest friend 

And that disciple took her to his own. 

His own ! The Church of Christ, for this his home. 

And thou, oh Mother Church, guard well thy sons ; 

Instruct them in the grace of thy dear Son. 

And son, Behold thy Mother Church, learn there 

The Truth which He bequeathed to her ; there gain 

All spiritual strength ; and from her breast 

Imbibe the Life of Righteousness and Love. 

And learn thou of this passion, home, that Love 

Surpassing earthly things, and constant be 

The sphere where ties of friendship live, 

The mother and the son each to behold. 

And Thou, oh, Christ, this sacrificed for us. 

Receive our all, that we may Thee receive. 

B'en from thy mother's side went'st to fulfill 

The will of Him that sent Thee. That same will 

May we fulfill, providing for Thy church, 

This, Thy disciple's constant care on earth. 

Nature stays to wait upon great men,± 
Much more to serve the Son of Man and God. 
So now to mark the dreaded hour when His 



JSee Nebo on death of Caesar, etc., etc. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 167 

IHumanity its service had fulfilled, 

As when He praj'ed for those who crucified 

And to the penitent who did confess 

In His Humiliation, Glory great, 

Afforded comfort, and absolved his sin, 

"The last provision for those nearest, made ; 

^With personal connection had raised up 
Its fallen state to that of His, Divine. 
So now, in keeping with the deeds of earth 
The cloud had deepened to a sable hue, 
As if dread Satan, to conceal his plot, 

Would draw death's shroud o'er all the land around. 

And fair Jerusalem in darkness hid, 

And Golgotha in blackness buried quite. 

To this truth let Rome's archives testify.* 

Thus until the hour of nine, Jewish time. 

No sound except His blood that kissed the ground. 

Fear hushed to silence now the jeering throng. 

Nor was the Christ for three hours heard to speak.t 

Still, Satan struggled with despairing zeal 

Till that the lonely station of our I^ord 



* Thus TertuUian to the Romans, third century : "Examine your 
own annals, and there you will find that in the days of Pilate, when 
Christ died, the sun disappeared in full day, and the mid-day light in- 
:terrupted." t Psalm xxxix. 2-5 ; Revelations, viii. 1. 



l68 THE SACRIFICE. 

Cried out in voice subdued, in lonely pain : 

?^2np3^ hdS ,"'4&5 /''Sj^ 

'' God, My God, wli}'' hast Thou forsaken me ? '^ 

Forsaken, Thee ! Oh, Thou of all mankind 

The Sufferer, who, sinless, felt all sin : 

Death on Thy cross of woe ; in misery, 

In state and majesty supreme, felt that, 

Of all else misery, forsaken pang, 

Th' soul in alienation from its God. 

Saints witness this with hope of their return. 

But oh, for those who shall in future feel 

This sense, from God shut out, devoid of hope. 

Oh, Jesu, Thou forsaken for my soul ! 

Teach me, that I may ne'er forsake Thy side, 

Though darkness seem to hide Thee from my view^ 

Give grace, that I may still with Thee abide ; 

Ivet not the power of darkness blind my soul 

That I may not perceive and realize 

What pain, what anguish, suffering 'twould be 

If once denied the presence of my God. 

If friends may leave, and loved ones prove me false,. 

And loneliness come o'er my saddened state, 

May these. Thy words, be present to my mind, 

And ease my suffering to know that Thou 



THii CRUCII^IXION. 169 

Didst suffer more. Forsake me not, Thou Christ. 
Ne'er may I forsake Thee, but in Thee dwell. 
Help me to know Thy Righteousness, that I 
May seek to live in presence of Thy Love, 
And ne'er to me have those sad words addressed 
" Why hast Thou forsaken Me? " nor I to cry, 
When death shall touch my soul with dreaded pang, 
" God, my God, ivhy hast Thou forsake7i nief'' 

In angry storm the elements menaced. 
Loud thunder rolled and rumbled in black space. 
The lightning clashed with fury, chizeling 
From cliff, the rocky bulk, dissatisfied 
In peaceful lodgement, while the Christ felt pain. 
The earth quaked and 'neath her crust hot lava 
Belched ia hatred of the enclosed confines. 
Earth seemed to rock, as cradled fiercely, all 
In orb unsettled or in darkness lost. 
The veil which in the temple hung between 
The Holy and most Holy rent in twain, 
Thus signifying what should follow on 
The entrance of the Christ to Paradise ; 
And did proclaim the separation then 
'Tween Jewish and the Christian dispensation. 
The multitude, alarmed, sought out their way 



lyo THE SACRIFICE. 

Toward crowded streets, where gathered in small groups 

The popiilace, debarred from traffic, stopped 

In sacrifice by type, which ended here 

When that One Sacrifice was made complete ; 

And left alone by Jesus cross the guards 

Compelled to watch, and now relented much. 

St. John, the Virgin, those who loving vStill, 

Feared more to leave, than suffer by His side. 

B'en all but they forsook Him then and fled. 

Mistaken now, a Roman soldier said, 

Who with the rest held guard : " This Man doeth for 

Elias call. " Anothe r said : " The Jews 

Contend that prophet comes in time of death 

The soul then to convey to Paradise, 

Or to appease in time of agony." 

A moment intervened, then Jesus cried : 

" I Thirst." 
The soldier took a sponge and filled with wine 
And by the hyssop reached unto Him drink. 
" Ivct alone," the rest, not so gentle, cried, 
" We'll see if that Klias will appear and save 
Him from His agony and take Him hence." 
" / thirst.'" Oh, Jesu, this thy dying word ? 
Oh, parch'd lips and tongue so crisp and dry, 



the; crucifixion. 171 

And fevered pulse, such trying thirst knew Thou 

That liquid, nor the cooling touch of frost, 

Would quench. Oh ! thirst more real than physical, 

The longing to imbibe man's sinful soul, 

Like evening sun, symbol of Thyself, 

Apparently draws misty spray, so Thou 

Would from that fallen state, the animal, 

Once more raise man to that spiritual 

Where he again would image forth Thy ray. 

For this Thou camest, to do the Father's will. 

This be His will and Thine. Draw Thou me up. 

'' I thirst:' Then shall not I, and drink of Thee, 

That lyiving Spring of spiritual grace, 

And live? For this alone would quench Thy thirst, 

And all mankind appease thy sense severe. 

Can I go by and quench with pleasures filled. 

With interest of self, with coldness, too, 

Indifference, and worldliness, lust, gain. 

Frivolity, my thirst for life etern' ; 

And see Thee writhe in pain and thirsting still 

For me who crucifies afresh, and add 

Thus to Thy woe ? Forbid ! Draw Thou me near 

And let me at the foot of Thy cross kneel. 

There list Thy voice and realize Thy word, 



172 THK SACRIF'ICE. 

" / thirst'' Make me to thirst for Thee. I thirst. 
With penitential heart and lowly mind, 
Renouncing worldly praise, and pleasure false, 
May I drink of Thy Love, and drinking quench 
Thy thirst. Thus life for life, and love for love, 
Help me to make that sacrifice, is gain. 
I thirst for Righteousness, the will of God 
To do. Give me to understand His will. 

List thou ! The Christ doth from His judgment seat 
Declare the sentence of His work, complete. 
The sanguine Husband* to affianced Bridet 
His head, His hands. His feet, baptized complete. 
Doth signal to eternal age of man, 
As priest, His final sacrificial word : 

"IT IS Finished. " 
With garments dyed,t apparel glorious. 
Proceeding in the greatness of His strength. 
The Righteous One, the Mighty One, to save. 
Treads out His wine press now alone. He says : 
" It is finished''' The charm of life wound up, 
The bloody sacrifices brought to end, 
All prophecy fulfilled, the Truth complete. 



*Exod. iv. 25. +rhe church, ^saiah, Ixiii. 1-3. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 173 

That witness to the Truth most justly borne, 

The type of universal man made plain 

In true example of original, 

And victory o'er sin established well, 

The will of God made manifest and wrought, 

His perseverance to the end made whole, 

The Church sustained, established by His blood. 

Finished, the hour of Trial, of Sacrifice, 

What more ? In truth, that which he taught, lived out. 

Atonement made. The Father's business, works, 

Completed now, His Will fulfilled, the Son's. 

His exile done, He to the Father now 

Returns from finished suffering to Life 

Most glorious. Humility exchanged 

For kingly dignity, Heaven made rich. 

The Christ's apportioned work accomplished now ; 

Ivove sacrificed for love, and Golgotha 

The magnet power to draw mankind to love. 

That Love which did His life lay down for man ; 

The consummation reached ; the Sacrifice 

On altar ne'er before in form thus made 

With priest and victim all identical 

In One ; the^illing Mind, self-sacrificed, 

Cries once for all, to all creation now, 



174 THE^ SACRIFICE. 

And in the Father's name : " It is finished^ 
While thousands bled, now bled The Ivamb of God. 
Upon the sign of Sacrifice His Love 
Is now entwined. Ivook thou, behold ! fulfil. 
Oh, may we so fulfil Thy will, oh Christ, 
That at the hour of death we may survey 
Our record past, and find all there complete, 
All virtues proved, all deeds undone and done 
As Thou wouldst us direct. Teach us to live 
So that when all is done, we may with Thee, 
And conscious of the past, in joy repeat, 
Well, well my soul for thee, " // is finished.^'' 

The kind head drooped. Though covered now with blood, 
Which dried by fever heat, made stiff. His beard. 
We love to gaze on it and meditate. 
Most precious e'er containing human brain. 
Ivook thou upon those eyes, with brilliancy 
Once shone, like precious settings in a crown, 
Now blurred with scaly substance and with blood. 
That mouth, past quivering now, saliva pours. 
And anguish with it flows, devoid of sense. 
All pain had ceased; and too, from thos^same lips 
Which first, according to all record past, 



T^nn CRucii^ixioN. 175 

Would know how they did seek Him, and did express 
His mission here on earth,*" now spake their last : 

"Father, 
Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit." 
The first word on the cross was made the last ; 
That, in the mind of Jesus, first and last ; 
So let the Father be with us, our all, 
Together with the Son and Holy Ghost. 
So live thy life from infancy to age, 
And for example take the Christ to be, 
In Him have hope, see thou His perfect way. 
And trust thou in Him for thy Guide, thy Friend. 
Behold His youth, His manhood, and His death, 
That when thou dost thyself lay down to die, 
His words may be thy words. His thought thy thought ; 
And let those friends who will bedew thy couch 
With briny flow, find peace to part with thee. 
To know thy soul commended to its God. 
Ivive so, that in thy death they may not grieve, 
Nor wish thou longer stayed from bliss so fair 
As that afforded in the hands of God. 
And thou not all in death, but life have trust 
And with thy voice of faith give back to God 

*St. Luke ii. 49. 



176 'THli SACRI^IC^. 

Thy soul ; in His kind providence so rest, 

Thy pain with patience bear, no trouble heed, 

But, in all learn. He chasteneth those loved. 

The animal, the intellectual. 

The moral sphere forget, live thou alone 

In that spiritual, like unto Christ ; 

And in that spirit render up thyself 

A living sacrifice unto thy God ; 

That when the hour of death approaches thee 

And doth with shroud of sable wrap thy form, 

With resignation of thy will to His, 

Lie down, in life and peace, as to a sleep 

Where dreams of Paradise encompass thee. 

This do, and let thy parting breath proclaim 

This true condition of thy mind . " Father, 

Into Thy hands I commend my spirits 

Oh, Jesu, give me strength that this may be 
My portion, my fair lot, that e'en like Thee, 
With total resignation of my will. 
With perfect love for God, thy love for man, 
I may so live, that death shall be for me 
The golden portal to a brighter realm ; 
And, when I enter there I may, as here, 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 177 

Commend my spirit to the Father's care. 
So teach me all my days to count for Thee 
That when I die 'twill be to set me free. 
Still echoes down the way of time those words^ 
The keynote ot the Christian faith : '' Father^ 
Into Thy hands I commend my spirits 

The cloud that marked the noonday with some dread 
Had passed. The atmosphere grew clear. The sun 
In western course shone out in splendor grand, 
And, lingering, spread broad its golden beams 
O'er Golgotha and lone Jerusalem. 
Once more the temple flashed in crj^stal hue 
And joyed to note its severed veil, and feel 
The promise of that Kaster Morn fulfilled 
When that once darkened scene, the city, all 
Should be enwrapped in splendor, un conceived, 
All woe forgotten in the glow of joy. 
The whisper of the Willing-Sacrifice, 
Was heard by ev'ry ear, and Stratocles, 
In charge of troops, stood by with aching heart, 
Relieved when thus the Saviour said, " Father, 
Into Thy hands I commend tny spirit^''' 
And said to all who stood beneath that cross. 
And now stand, all the world beside, all time :. 



178 THE SACRIFICE. 

" This was indeed a Righteous Man — and yon 
Who gaze with constant wonder on this scene, 
And smite your breasts with passion and in fear, 
Behold the Seed from which that Tree* shall grow, 
And o'er this whole earth shall its branches spread 
That Gentile nations, like some wand' ring birds. 
Shall seek their shelter 'neath its foliage ; 
There find their rest and learn there of the God 
For whom they have been blindly seeking since 
The fall of man from nature spiritual. 
Reflect upon His life. His character, 
His words. His deeds, and you shall see expressed 
Your ideal of The Man. Still gaze awhile. 
And when in meditation grand you lose 
Self-will, behold the Image of The God, 
His Word, His Will. This we have seen in Him 
Who leaves behind the body once prepared! 
For that God-Soul to tabernacle in, ^ 

While He was that Emmanuel looked for. 
Behold with eyes enlightened by this scene, 
By circumstances supernatural. — 
Truly, This was The Son oe God." 

*St. Luke, xiii. 19, tHebrews, x. 5. 
FINIS. 



IMAGE DIVINE, 



God Created Man in His Own Image.'' 

Once more iny God like Thee, 

Image Divine, 
Give back Thy grace to me, 

Make me now, Thine. 
Image of Thee I'd be, 

Saviour, I come to Thee, 
My will, my all resign, 

Image Divine. 

Once I did from Thee stray, 

Thine Image lost. 
Sin ruled my willful way, 

By tempest tossed. 
Fallen my nature there, 

Burdened with grief and care. 
My will, my all resign, 

Image Divine. 



l80 IMAGE DIVINE. 

Weary and sad I come, 

Saviour, to Thee. 
B'en on Thy cross my home, 

There let it be. 
Create me new, no less, 

Sin unto righteousness. 
My will, my all resign, 

Imagine Divine. 

Now face to face I see, 

Image Divine. 
Thy presence comforts me,. 

Once more I'm Thine. 
Spiritual nature giv'n. 

Image of God in Heav'n^ 
My will, my all resign, 

Image Divine. 



